The bill amends Chapter 11-18 of the General Laws to establish the criminal offense of real estate title fraud and introduces new regulations regarding the recording of real estate documents. It defines key terms such as "suspicious document," "trusted submitter," and "pattern of real estate title fraud." Starting September 1, 2027, municipalities will be prohibited from accepting electronic filings of real estate deeds or mortgages unless accompanied by sufficient documentation for identification or submitted by a trusted submitter. Municipal recorders are granted the authority to temporarily delay the recording of suspicious documents, report them to law enforcement, and notify notarial officers of their findings. Violations of these provisions can result in severe penalties, including felony charges and significant fines.

Additionally, the bill mandates that municipalities establish a property alert notification system by January 1, 2028, allowing property owners to enroll their real estate and receive notifications within ten business days of the recording of any document affecting their property. The system will provide timely alerts and educational information on deed fraud without charging property owners. The bill also amends the Uniform Law on Notarial Acts to allow notarial officers to refuse to perform notarial acts if they are not satisfied with the identity proofing of the individual or if the individual does not consent to pay for such proofing. Overall, the act aims to enhance protections against real estate fraud and improve the integrity of property transactions.

Statutes affected:
2715: 42-30.1-7