HB 692 Summary

• Expands Ohio law to permit wills to be executed electronically, requiring they be readable as text and signed by the testator or another person in the testator's physical or electronic presence with testator's direction, witnessed by two competent individuals in physical or electronic presence.

• Allows declarations (living wills) and durable powers of attorney for health care to be executed electronically, with electronic signatures and electronic notarization permitted as alternatives to traditional witnessing requirements.

• Enables transfer on death designation affidavits for real property to be executed electronically, with certified copies readable as text acceptable for recording with county recorders.

• Requires electronic notarization for electronically executed documents either through electronic notarization under section 147.591 or online notarization under sections 147.60 to 147.66 of the Revised Code.

• Establishes definitions and rules for electronic documents, including standards for "electronic presence" (real-time communication between individuals in different locations) and procedures for recording and retrieving electronic documents in readable text format.