1. For misconduct or neglect in a case in which a notary public appointed pursuant to the authority of this State may act, either by the law of this State or of another state, territory or country, or by the law of nations, or by commercial usage, the notary public is liable on his or her official bond to the parties injured thereby, for all the damages sustained.

2. The employer of a notary public may be assessed a civil penalty by the Secretary of State of not more than $2,000 for each violation specified in subsection 4 committed by the notary public, and the employer is liable for any damages proximately caused by the misconduct of the notary public, if:

(a) The notary public was acting within the scope of his or her employment at the time the notary public engaged in the misconduct; and

(b) The employer of the notary public consented to the misconduct of the notary public.

3. The Secretary of State may refuse to appoint or may suspend or revoke the appointment of a notary public who fails to provide to the Secretary of State, within a reasonable time, information that the Secretary of State requests from the notary public in connection with a complaint which alleges a violation of this chapter.

4. Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, for any willful violation or neglect of duty or other violation of this chapter, or upon proof that a notary public has been convicted of, or entered a plea of guilty, guilty but mentally ill or nolo contendere to, a crime described in paragraph (c) of subsection 2 of NRS 240.010:

(a) The appointment of the notary public may be suspended for a period determined by the Secretary of State, but not exceeding the time remaining on the appointment;

(b) The appointment of the notary public may be revoked after a hearing; or

(c) The notary public may be assessed a civil penalty of not more than $2,000 for each violation.

5. If the Secretary of State revokes or suspends the appointment of a notary public pursuant to this section, the Secretary of State shall:

(a) Notify the notary public in writing of the revocation or suspension;

(b) Cause notice of the revocation or suspension to be published on the website of the Secretary of State; and

(c) If a county clerk has issued a certificate of permission to perform marriages to the notary public pursuant to NRS 122.064, notify the county clerk of the revocation or suspension.

6. Except as otherwise provided by law, the Secretary of State may assess the civil penalty that is authorized pursuant to this section upon a notary public whose appointment has expired if the notary public committed the violation that justifies the civil penalty before his or her appointment expired.

7. The appointment of a notary public may be suspended or revoked by the Secretary of State pending a hearing if the Secretary of State believes it is in the public interest or is necessary to protect the public.

[13:39:1864; B § 342; BH § 2247; C § 2414; RL § 2756; NCL § 4726] — (NRS A 1985, 1208; 1995, 194; 1997, 937; 2011, 1612; 2013, 1200; 2015, 932)