Sec. 1. 9-B MRSA §469 is enacted to read:

§469.__Check cashing restrictions

An entity subject to the provisions of this Title may not require a person presenting a payment instrument for cash to submit to fingerprinting or thumbprinting.__For purposes of this section, "payment instrument" means a check, draft, money order, travelers check or other instrument or written order for the transmission or payment of money, sold or issued to one or more persons, whether or not the instrument is negotiable. "Payment instrument" does not include a credit card voucher, a letter of credit or any instrument that is redeemable by the issuer in goods or services.

Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §6138, sub-§4, ¶¶F and G, as enacted by PL 1997, c. 155, Pt. A, §2, are amended to read:

F. Issue any check or draft without concurrently receiving the full principal amount in cash or its equivalent; or

G. Engage in any false or misleading advertising.; or

Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §6138, sub-§4, ¶H is enacted to read:

H.__Require a fingerprint or thumbprint from a person presenting a payment instrument, as defined in section 6102, for cash.

SUMMARY

This bill prohibits a financial institution or check cashing business from requiring a person presenting a check for cash to be fingerprinted or thumbprinted.