Discussions include the specifics of the Ohio Notary Modernization Act and its implications on Ohio attorney notaries. Senate Bill 263: The Ohio Notary Modernization Act overhauled Ohio's notary laws by centralizing the application process to ensure consistent standards across the state. Under the new law, the Ohio Secretary of State's office will process and manage the notary application and renewal process in Ohio, as well as investigations and discipline. Additionally, the law places a stronger emphasis on educating notaries throughout their tenure to ensure that all notaries remain aware of their obligations. Finally, recognizing that transactions are moving off paper and to a digital format, the new law creates the groundwork for permitting electronic and online notarial acts.

with special guest speaker:
Allison DeSantis
Allison DeSantis is an accomplished attorney who has spent much of her career in public service focused on business and regulatory law. Since 2008, she has served as the Director of Business Services for the Ohio Secretary of State’s office. In this role, Allison has overseen efforts to improve the quality of services provided to the business community through a number of innovative modernizations. Allison’s knowledge and experience led the International Association of Commercial Administrators (IACA), a professional association for government administrators of business organization and secured transaction systems, to elect her president in 2015. As a member and past president of IACA as well as a member of the Notary Public Administrators, Allison has continued to build on her expertise in the areas of business registry law, technology, and notary law. Allison earned both her undergraduate degree in communications and juris doctorate from the University of Dayton.