What's happening
This bill makes it a crime to impersonate someone by using their electronic signature without permission to defraud or cause harm.
Why it matters
Addresses a growing digital threat. By specifically making it a crime to use someone else’s electronic signature without permission for fraudulent or harmful purposes, the bill directly responds to the increasing use of e-signatures in business, legal, and personal transactions.
Expands protections beyond traditional impersonation. The amendment goes further than existing impersonation laws by including the misuse of electronic signatures, recognizing that digital identity theft can be as damaging as in-person or verbal misrepresentation.
Promotes trust in digital processes. By criminalizing unauthorized use of electronic signatures, the law aims to bolster public confidence in electronic transactions, which are essential for modern commerce, government, and personal dealings.
Clarifies legal definitions and accountability. Referring to the state’s technology law for the definition of “electronic signature” ensures consistency and clarity, making it easier for law enforcement and courts to prosecute offenders and for individuals and businesses to understand their rights and risks.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Signature Impersonation
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
1 Co-sponsor
1 Multi-sponsor
History
- Referred to codes
- Print number 7983a
- Amend and recommit to codes
- Referred to codes
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Electronic Signature Impersonation
In Assembly Committee · Codes · Sponsor Roxanne J. Persaud
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
7983--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
May 23, 2017
Introduced by M. of A. ORTIZ -- read once and referred to the Committee on Codes -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the penal law, in relation to impersonating another by using another's electronic signature
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Subdivisions 3 and 4 of section 190.25 of the penal law, subdivision 3 as amended by chapter 27 of the laws of 1980 and subdivision 4 as added by chapter 304 of the laws of 2008, are amended and a new subdivision 5 is added to read as follows:
3. (a) Pretends to be a public servant, or wears or displays without authority any uniform, badge, insignia or facsimile thereof by which such public servant is lawfully distinguished, or falsely expresses by his words or actions that he is a public servant or is acting with approval or authority of a public agency or department; and (b) so acts with intent to induce another to submit to such pretended official authority, to solicit funds or to otherwise cause another to act in reliance upon that pretense[.]; or
4. Impersonates another by communication by internet website or electronic means with intent to obtain a benefit or injure or defraud another, or by such communication pretends to be a public servant in order to induce another to submit to such authority or act in reliance on such pretense[.]; or
5. Impersonates another person, without such other person's permission, by using the other person's electronic signature with intent to obtain a benefit or injure or defraud the other person or another person. For the purposes of this subdivision, electronic signature shall have the same meaning as set forth in subdivision three of section three hundred two of the state technology law.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD02135-03-7
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.