The register shall prepare, or have prepared, a microfilm record of each page of every instrument, plan or other document recorded in the registry office.__The microfilm record made must be stored in a fireproof area.__When original record books or plans are considered by the register to be in a condition that warrants withdrawal from regular use, the register may make a true copy of the contents of the record or may provide suitable means for reading the microfilm, microfiche or digital image stored on magnetic or optical media of the instruments withdrawn.__ The records and certified copies made either from the true copy or from images stored as provided in this section must be received in all courts of law with the same legal effect as those contained in the original.

Sec. 2. 33 MRSA §652, as amended by PL 2001, c. 667, Pt. C, §18, is further amended to read:

§652. Books for recording plans

The county commissioners shall provide, at the expense of the several counties, suitable storage for plans with a minimum size of 12 by 18 and a maximum of 24 by 36 inches in dimension, for the preservation of such plans.

No plan may be accepted for recording unless all of the following criteria are met. The plan must:

1. Materials. Be drawn upon strong linen cloth or polyester film with archival photographic image;

2. Seals. Be embossed, sealed or both, with the seal of an architect, professional engineer or registered land surveyor;

3. Signature. Contain the signature and address of the person who prepared the plan;

4. Recording information. Provide a space for recording the county, date, time, plan book and page or file number and register's attest; and

5. Title. Provide a title block containing the name of the plan, the record owner's name and address, the location by street and town and the date of the plan.