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SB 700

Relating to water safety; prescribing an effective date.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Reynolds

MD notaries must provide reasonable accommodations for disabled signers, including reading the record to a blind signer and obtaining assent before notarization.

In committee upon adjournment.
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Bill Summary · SB 700

SB 700 — Notarial Acts — Reasonable Accommodations (Maryland) — Bill Summary

Status: Withdrawn by sponsor (filed Jan 26, 2025; withdrawn Mar 3, 2025)

Main purpose

The bill would have required Maryland notaries public to provide reasonable accommodations to individuals with physical disabilities that limit their ability to sign records without assistance. It also established a specific accommodation procedure for blind individuals seeking notarization.

Key provisions

  • Adds a new section (Art. — State Government §18‑106) obligating notaries to provide reasonable accommodations to persons with physical disabilities who cannot sign without assistance.
  • Specifies one mandatory accommodation: a notary must notarize the signature of a blind person after (1) reading the entire record to that person and (2) obtaining the person’s assent to notarization following the reading.
  • Repeals and reenacts (without substantive change) Art. — State Government §18‑208, which currently:
    • Allows a person physically unable to sign to direct another individual (not the notary) who appears with them to sign on their behalf; and
    • Requires insertion on the record of a statement such as: “Signature affixed by (name of other individual) at the direction of (name of individual).”
  • Sets an effective date of October 1, 2025 (if enacted).

Who would be affected

  • Individuals with physical disabilities who need notarial services — increased access and a clearer expectation that accommodations are to be provided.
  • Notaries public — new statutory duty to provide reasonable accommodations (including the blind‑reading procedure). Notaries may need to update practices, obtain guidance/training, and consider liability or recordkeeping implications.
  • Third parties (assistants, aids) who may sign on behalf of disabled persons — existing proxy‑signature provision remains in place.

Potential impacts and considerations

  • Accessibility: The bill clarifies and strengthens access to notarial services for disabled Marylanders, explicitly addressing blind signers.
  • Operational: Notaries may need training and procedural guidance on what constitutes “reasonable accommodations” beyond the blind‑reading example; the bill does not define the term.
  • Legal/administrative: Minimal direct fiscal effects anticipated; potential for administrative guidance or minor training costs for notaries or the Secretary of State’s office.
  • Interaction with existing law: Keeps the current procedure allowing others to sign at a principal’s direction (§18‑208) in effect.

Procedural timeline (selected)

  • Introduced: Jan 26, 2025 (assigned to Education, Energy, and the Environment).
  • Read first time and referred to committee; underwent additional referrals and readings per the legislative record.
  • Withdrawn by the sponsor: Mar 3, 2025 — bill did not advance to enactment.

Related measures

  • HB 918 — noted as a companion bill (referenced in the bill metadata).

If you want, I can draft plain‑language guidance that a notary could use to implement the blind‑reading procedure and other reasonable accommodations in practice.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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