What's happening
This bill makes it a crime to impersonate someone by using their electronic signature without permission for fraudulent or harmful purposes.
Why it matters
Expands Definition of Criminal Impersonation. The bill updates New York’s criminal impersonation law to specifically include using someone else’s electronic signature—such as for signing contracts, authorizing payments, or official documents—without their permission.
Targets Fraud and Harm in Digital Transactions. It focuses on cases where the impersonator intends to obtain a benefit (like money, goods, or services), cause injury, or commit fraud, addressing new risks in an increasingly digital society.
Closes a Legal Gap. By referencing the state’s existing definition of “electronic signature,” the bill ensures that a wide variety of digital signature technologies (e.g., typed names, digital certificates, signature pads) are covered, clarifying legal consequences for misuse.
Protects Individuals and Businesses. The change could help deter cybercrimes and protect both individuals and organizations from financial loss, reputational damage, or unauthorized commitments made in their name via electronic signatures.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Signature Impersonation
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred 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 Felix Ortiz
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
1391
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 14, 2019
Introduced by Sen. PERSAUD -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Codes
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.
LBD06971-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the penal law, in relation to impersonating another by using another's electronic signature
Purpose or general idea of bill
This bill addresses the use of another's electronic signature without consent.
Summary of specific provisions
Section 1. Section 190.25 of the penal law is amended by adding a new 2 subdivision 5 to read as follows: 3 5. Impersonates another by using another's electronic signature with Intent to obtain a benefit or injure or defraud another. 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.
Justification
Everyday, New Yorkers use electronic signatures to sign documents that are legally binding in the same manner a hand-written signature would be. Whether it is in the line of business or for personal matters, soci- ety has become dependent on electronic documents which are reviewed and transmitted via the internet. In many instances, time and distance do not provide the ability to have documents executed and returned before impending deadlines. In order to conduct business or facilitate other matters, an individual may produce an electronic signature with the intention that it will be used solely for the purpose it was intended. Not for use by another individual attempting to impersonate him or her.
Prior legislative history
2017/2018: Passed Senate, died in Assembly 2015/2016: Referred to Codes
Fiscal implications to state and local government
None.
Effective date
Immediately.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.