Proposed Rule2026-02417
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
Primary source
Metadata and text below are from the Federal Register, a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the official published version before relying on it for any legal matter.
Published
February 6, 2026
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD) 2023-22-05, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2023- 22-05 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-22-05, the FAA has determined that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023- 22-05 and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 91 Issue 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 91, Number 25 (Friday, February 6, 2026)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 5368-5371]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2026-02417]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2026-0738; Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01039-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; Dassault Aviation Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to supersede Airworthiness Directive (AD)
2023-22-05, which applies to certain Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET
FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes. AD 2023-
22-05 requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive airworthiness
limitations. Since the FAA issued AD 2023-22-05, the FAA has determined
that new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary.
This proposed AD would continue to require certain actions in AD 2023-
22-05 and would require revising the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the
unsafe condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by March 23,
2026.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2026-0738; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, the mandatory continuing airworthiness
information (MCAI), any comments received, and other information. The
street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) material
identified in this proposed AD, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3,
50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f4b5b087b491958795da9181869b8495da9181"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="d8999cab98bdb9abb9f6bdadaab7a8b9f6bdad">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on the EASA website at
ad.easa.europa.eu. It is also available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket
No. FAA-2026-0738.
<bullet> You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material at the
FAA, call 206-231-3195.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kimi Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer,
FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 781-
238-7693; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#61584c2037324c2028334c2320222e4c222e32210700004f060e17"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="90a9bdd1c6c3bdd1d9c2bdd2d1d3dfbdd3dfc3d0f6f1f1bef7ffe6">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments using a method listed
under the ADDRESSES section. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2026-0738;
Project Identifier MCAI-2025-01039-T'' at the beginning of your
comments. The most helpful comments reference a specific portion of the
proposal, explain the
[[Page 5369]]
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Kimi
Kim, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410,
Westbury, NY 11590; phone: 781-238-7693; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#784155392e2b5539312a553a393b37553b372b381e1919561f170e"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="625b4f2334314f232b304f2023212d4f212d31220403034c050d14">[email protected]</span></a>. Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not
specifically designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for
this rulemaking.
Background
The FAA issued 2023-22-05, Amendment 39-22589 (88 FR 80570,
November 20, 2023) (AD 2023-22-05), for certain Dassault Aviation Model
FAN JET FALCON and FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes.
AD 2023-22-05 was prompted by an MCAI originated by EASA, which is the
Technical Agent for the Member States of the European Union. EASA
issued AD 2023-0060, dated March 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0060) (which
corresponds to FAA AD 2023-22-05), to correct an unsafe condition.
AD 2023-22-05 requires revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations. The FAA issued AD 2023-22-05 to
address, among other things, fatigue cracking and damage in principal
structural elements. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could
result in reduced structural integrity of the airplane.
Actions Since AD 2023-22-05 Was Issued
Since the FAA issued AD 2023-22-05, EASA superseded AD 2023-0060
and issued EASA AD 2025-0125, dated May 28, 2025; corrected June 3,
2025 (EASA AD 2025-0125) (also referred to as the MCAI), for certain
Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON, FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E,
F, and G airplanes. The MCAI states that new or more restrictive
airworthiness limitations have been developed.
The FAA is proposing this AD to address fatigue cracking, damage,
and corrosion in principal structural elements. The unsafe condition,
if not addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane. You may examine the MCAI in the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>
under Docket No. FAA-2026-0738.
Material Incorporated by Reference Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed EASA AD 2025-0125. This material specifies new or
more restrictive airworthiness limitations for airplane structures and
safe life limits.
This proposed AD would also require EASA AD 2023-0060, dated March
16, 2023, which the Director of the Federal Register approved for
incorporation by reference as of December 26, 2023 (88 FR 80570,
November 20, 2023).
This material is reasonably available because the interested
parties have access to it through their normal course of business or by
the means identified in the ADDRESSES section.
FAA's Determination
These products have been approved by the civil aviation authority
of another country and are approved for operation in the United States.
Pursuant to the FAA's bilateral agreement with this State of Design
Authority, that authority has notified the FAA of the unsafe condition
described in the MCAI and material referenced above. The FAA is issuing
this NPRM after determining that the unsafe condition described
previously is likely to exist or develop in other products of the same
type design.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would retain certain requirements of AD 2023-22-
05. This proposed AD would also require revising the existing
maintenance or inspection program, as applicable, to incorporate
additional new or more restrictive airworthiness limitations, which are
specified in EASA AD 2025-0125 already described, as proposed for
incorporation by reference. Any differences with EASA AD 2025-0125 are
identified as exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD.
This proposed AD would require revisions to certain operator
maintenance documents to include new actions (e.g., inspections).
Compliance with these actions is required by 14 CFR 91.403(c). For
airplanes that have been previously modified, altered, or repaired in
the areas addressed by this proposed AD, the operator may not be able
to accomplish the actions described in the revisions. In this
situation, to comply with 14 CFR 91.403(c), the operator must request
approval for an alternative method of compliance (AMOC) according to
paragraph (m)(1) of this proposed AD.
Explanation of Required Compliance Information
In the FAA's ongoing efforts to improve the efficiency of the AD
process, the FAA developed a process to use some civil aviation
authority (CAA) ADs as the primary source of information for compliance
with requirements for corresponding FAA ADs. The FAA has been
coordinating this process with manufacturers and CAAs. As a result, the
FAA proposes to retain the Incorporation by Reference (IBR) of EASA AD
2023-0060 and incorporate EASA AD 2025-0125 by reference in the FAA
final rule. This proposed AD would, therefore, require compliance with
EASA AD 2023-0060 and EASA AD 2025-0125 through that incorporation,
except for any differences identified as exceptions in the regulatory
text of this proposed AD. Using common terms that are the same as the
heading of a particular section in EASA AD 2023-0060 or EASA AD 2025-
0125 does not mean that operators need to comply only with that
section. For example, where the AD requirement refers to ``all required
actions and compliance times,'' compliance with this proposed AD
requirement is not limited to the section titled ``Required Action(s)
and Compliance Time(s)'' in EASA AD 2023-0060 or EASA AD 2025-0125.
Material required by EASA AD 2023-0060 and EASA AD 2025-0125 for
compliance will be available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> by searching for and
locating Docket No. FAA-2026-0738 after the FAA final rule is
published.
[[Page 5370]]
Airworthiness Limitation ADs Using the New Process
The FAA's process of incorporating by reference MCAI ADs as the
primary source of information for compliance with corresponding FAA ADs
has been limited to certain MCAI ADs (primarily those with service
bulletins as the primary source of information for accomplishing the
actions required by the FAA AD). However, the FAA is now expanding the
process to include MCAI ADs that require a change to airworthiness
limitation documents, such as airworthiness limitation sections.
For these ADs that incorporate by reference an MCAI AD that changes
airworthiness limitations, the FAA requirements are unchanged.
Operators must revise the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, to incorporate the information specified in the new
airworthiness limitation document. The airworthiness limitations must
be followed according to 14 CFR 91.403(c) and 91.409(e).
The previous format of the airworthiness limitation ADs included a
paragraph that specified that no alternative actions (e.g.,
inspections) or intervals may be used unless the actions and intervals
are approved as an AMOC in accordance with the procedures specified in
the AMOCs paragraph under ``Additional AD Provisions.'' This new format
includes a ``New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals''
paragraph that does not specifically refer to AMOCs, but operators may
still request an AMOC to use an alternative action or interval.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 32 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the retained
actions from AD 2023-22-05 to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-
hour).
The FAA has determined that revising the existing maintenance or
inspection program takes an average of 90 work-hours per operator,
although the agency recognizes that this number may vary from operator
to operator. Since operators incorporate maintenance or inspection
program changes for their affected fleet(s), the FAA has determined
that a per-operator estimate is more accurate than a per-airplane
estimate.
The FAA estimates the total cost per operator for the new proposed
actions to be $7,650 (90 work-hours x $85 per work-hour).
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by:
0
a. Removing Airworthiness Directive (AD) AD 2023-22-05, Amendment 39-
22589 (88 FR 80570, November 20, 2023); and
0
b. Adding the following new AD:
Dassault Aviation: Docket No. FAA-2026-0738; Project Identifier
MCAI-2025-01039-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by March 23, 2026.
(b) Affected ADs
This AD replaces AD 2023-22-05, Amendment 39-22589 (88 FR 80570,
November 20, 2023) (AD 2023-22-05).
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to Dassault Aviation Model FAN JET FALCON and
FAN JET FALCON SERIES C, D, E, F, and G airplanes, certificated in
any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency
(EASA) AD 2025-0125, dated May 28, 2025; corrected June 3, 2025
(EASA AD 2025-0125).
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 05, Time Limits/
Maintenance Checks.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a determination that new or more
restrictive airworthiness limitations are necessary. The FAA is
issuing this AD to address fatigue cracking, damage, and corrosion
in principal structural elements. The unsafe condition, if not
addressed, could result in reduced structural integrity of the
airplane.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Retained Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection
Program, With a New Terminating Action
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (j) of AD
2023-22-05, with a new terminating action. Except as specified in
paragraph (h) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and
compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2023-
0060, dated March 16, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0060). Accomplishing the
revision of the existing maintenance or inspection program required
by paragraph (j) of this AD terminates the requirements of this
paragraph.
(h) Retained Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0060, With No Changes
This paragraph restates the exceptions specified in paragraph
(k) of AD 2023-22-05, with no changes.
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2023-0060.
(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0060 specifies revising ``the
approved AMP'' within 12 months after its effective date, but
[[Page 5371]]
this AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection
program, as applicable, within 90 days after December 26, 2023 (the
effective date of AD 2023-22-05).
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0060 is at the applicable
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0060, or within 90
days after December 26, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2023-22-05),
whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2023-0060.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2023-0060.
(i) Retained Restrictions on Alternative Actions and Intervals, With a
New Exception
This paragraph restates the requirements of paragraph (l) of AD
2023-22-05, with a new exception. Except as required by paragraph
(j) of this AD, after the maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (g) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) or intervals are allowed unless they are
approved as approved as specified in the provisions of the ``Ref.
Publications'' section of EASA AD 2023-0060.
(j) New Revision of the Existing Maintenance or Inspection Program
Except as specified in paragraph (k) of this AD: Comply with all
required actions and compliance times specified in, and in
accordance with, EASA AD 2025-0125. Accomplishing the revision of
the existing maintenance or inspection program required by this
paragraph terminates the requirements of paragraph (g) of this AD.
(k) Exceptions to EASA AD 2025-0125
(1) This AD does not adopt the requirements specified in
paragraphs (1) and (2) of EASA AD 2025-0125.
(2) Paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0125 specifies revising ``the
approved AMP,'' within 12 months after its effective date, but this
AD requires revising the existing maintenance or inspection program,
as applicable, within 90 days after the effective date of this AD.
(3) The initial compliance time for doing the tasks specified in
paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0125 is at the applicable
``limitations'' and ``associated thresholds'' as incorporated by the
requirements of paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2025-0125, or within 90
days after the effective date of this AD, whichever occurs later.
(4) This AD does not adopt the provisions specified in
paragraphs (4) and (5) of EASA AD 2025-0125.
(5) This AD does not adopt the ``Remarks'' section of EASA AD
2025-0125.
(l) New Provisions for Alternative Actions and Intervals
After the existing maintenance or inspection program has been
revised as required by paragraph (j) of this AD, no alternative
actions (e.g., inspections) and intervals are allowed unless the
actions and intervals are approved as specified in the provisions of
the ``Ref. Publications'' section of EASA AD 2025-0125.
(m) Additional AD Provisions
The following provisions also apply to this AD:
(1) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs): The Manager,
International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve
AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR
39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your
principal inspector or responsible Flight Standards Office, as
appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the
International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the
person identified in paragraph (n) of this AD and email to:
<a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#92d3dfddd1d2f4f3f3bcf5fde4"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="0f4e42404c4f696e6e21686079">[email protected]</span></a>. Before using any approved AMOC, notify your
appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector,
the manager of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(2) Contacting the Manufacturer: For any requirement in this AD
to obtain instructions from a manufacturer, the instructions must be
accomplished using a method approved by the Manager, International
Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Dassault Aviation's EASA Design
Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval
must include the DOA-authorized signature.
(n) Additional Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kimi Kim, Aviation
Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Avenue, Suite 410, Westbury, NY
11590; phone: 781-238-7693; email: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#192034584f4a3458504b345b585a56345a564a597f7878377e766f"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="e2dbcfa3b4b1cfa3abb0cfa0a3a1adcfa1adb1a2848383cc858d94">[email protected]</span></a>.
(o) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the material listed in this
paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this material as applicable to do the actions
required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise.
(3) The following material was approved for IBR on [DATE 35 DAYS
AFTER PUBLICATION OF THE FINAL RULE].
(i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) AD 2025-0125,
dated May 28, 2025; corrected June 3, 2025.
(ii) [Reserved]
(4) The following material was approved for IBR on December 26,
2023 (88 FR 80570, November 20, 2023).
(i) EASA AD 2023-0060, dated March 16, 2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(5) For EASA material identified in this AD, contact EASA,
Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221
8999 000; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#e1a0a592a184809280cf8494938e9180cf8494"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="93d2d7e0d3f6f2e0f2bdf6e6e1fce3f2bdf6e6">[email protected]</span></a>. You may find this material on
the EASA website at ad.easa.europa.eu.
(6) You may view this material at the FAA, Airworthiness
Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200 South 216th St.,
Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability of this material
at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(7) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c6a0b4e8afa8b5b6a3a5b2afa9a886a8a7b4a7e8a1a9b0"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="accade82c5c2dfdcc9cfd8c5c3c2ecc2cddecd82cbc3da">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on January 28, 2026.
Steven W. Thompson,
Acting Deputy Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft
Certification Service.
[FR Doc. 2026-02417 Filed 2-5-26; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.