Bill > HB2696

This bill aims to modernize the notarization process for real estate documents and combat fraud by requiring a two-tiered authentication system and the use of a 3D biometric antifraud system by all notaries public handling real estate documents by December 31, 2027. A "biometric antifraud system" is defined as technology that captures, authenticates, and stores biometric data, including 3D liveness detection, to ensure the integrity of the process and prevent remote attacks. "Device-bound hardware" refers to a dedicated physical terminal with a camera capable of capturing 3D images, separate from other devices, and designed to protect against data tampering. "Biometric information" is the digital record of facial features captured by this system, and "real estate documents" encompass a wide range of legal instruments related to property, such as deeds, leases, mortgages, and liens. A "verified notary public" is a certified notary who is authorized to use this biometric system for real estate documents. The bill mandates that by the specified deadline, all notaries notarizing real estate documents must be "verified notaries public" and utilize the biometric antifraud system, which will also be a condition for counties to record these documents. This new system will require notaries to provide biometric information for certification and will use this data to authenticate both the notary and the signer of the document, with anonymized biometric data stored by system vendors and personal identification information held by the Secretary of State. Notaries who become verified may charge an additional fee to cover the costs associated with using the biometric system and their biometric information. The bill also amends existing laws regarding the acknowledgment and proof of deeds and other real estate instruments to incorporate these new requirements.

Justice

Judiciary (House)

https://kslegislature.gov/li/b2025_26/measures/hb2696/