Maine § 1924. - Grounds to deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or condition commission of notary public

§ 1924.. Grounds to deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or condition commission of notary public

1.  Grounds.  The Secretary of State may deny, refuse to renew, revoke, suspend or impose a condition on a notary public commission for any act or omission that demonstrates the individual lacks the honesty, integrity, competence or reliability to act as a notary public, including:

A. Failure to comply with this chapter;   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

B. A fraudulent, dishonest or deceitful statement or omission in the application for a notary public commission submitted to the Secretary of State;   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

C. A conviction of the applicant or notary public of any crime punishable by one year or more imprisonment or a crime involving fraud, dishonesty or deceit;   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

D. A finding against, or admission of liability by, the applicant or notary public in any legal proceeding or disciplinary action based on the applicant's or notary public's fraud, dishonesty or deceit;   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

E. Failure by the notary public to discharge any duty required of a notary public, whether by this chapter, rules of the Secretary of State or any federal or state law;   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

F. Use of false or misleading advertising or representation by the notary public representing that the notary public has a duty, right or privilege that the notary public does not have;   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

G. Violation by the notary public of a rule of the Secretary of State regarding a notary public;   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

H. Denial, refusal to renew, revocation, suspension or conditioning of a notary public commission in another state; or   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

I. Violation of Title 21‑A, section 903‑E.   [PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §4 (NEW); PL 2021, c. 651, Pt. A, §8 (AFF).]

2.  Right to hearing.  If the Secretary of State denies, refuses to renew, revokes, suspends or imposes conditions on a notary public commission, the applicant or notary public is entitled to timely notice and hearing in accordance with Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 4.

3.  Remedies preserved.  The authority of the Secretary of State to deny, refuse to renew, suspend, revoke or impose conditions on a notary public commission does not prevent a person from seeking and obtaining other criminal or civil remedies provided by law.