§ 638:15-a — False Academic Documentation

I. A person is guilty of a class A misdemeanor if such person knowingly does any of the following:
(a) Falsely creates, alters, or assists in the false creation or alteration of an academic degree.
(b) Solicits from another the false creation or alteration of an academic degree.
(c) Uses, offers, or presents as authentic a falsely created or altered academic degree.
(d) Sells, gives, purchases, or obtains, or assists in the selling, giving, purchasing, or obtaining of a false academic degree.
(e) Makes a false written representation relating to the person's academic degree, or makes a false written representation that the person has received an academic degree from a specific secondary, postsecondary, or professional institution, or governmental program, in the application for:
(1) Employment.
(2) Admission to any educational program.
(3) An award, honor, or other recognition.
(4) The issuance of an academic degree to the person himself or herself.
II. In this section, "academic degree" means a diploma, certificate, license, academic transcript, or other document which signifies or purports to signify the completion of the academic requirements of a secondary, postsecondary, professional, or governmental program of study.

Legislative History

2001, 46:1, eff. June 8, 2001.