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Who cares
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Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Enacts the "internet dating safety act"; requires internet dating services to provide notice whether the service conducts criminal background screenings
In Assembly Committee · Consumer Affairs And Protection · Sponsor Annette Robinson
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to enacting the "internet dating safety act" and requiring internet dating services to provide notice whether the service conducts criminal background screenings
Purpose
The purpose of this bill is to protect users of Internet dating services by requiring such services to provide users with safety disclosures.
Summary of provisions
This bill would require Internet dating services offering services to New York members to provide a safety awareness notice to customers and disclose whether criminal background screenings on its members have been performed. The safety awareness notification would be required to include, at minimum, a list and description of safety measures designed to increase customer awareness of safer dating practices.
The bill would also require Internet dating services that do not conduct criminal background screenings on its members to disclose that fact clearly and conspicuously to all New York members. An Internet dating service that conducts criminal background screenings would be required to disclose that fact and disclose whether it has a policy allowing a member who has been identified as having a criminal conviction to have access to its service to communicate with New York members.
The bill would deem it an unlawful practice subject to enforcement under Article 22-A of the General Business Law for an Internet dating service to fail to provide the required notice or to falsely indicate that it has performed criminal background screenings.
Existing law
New Bill.
Justification
While the use of Internet dating services has resulted in countless happy couples, this new method of meeting potential mates can pose risks to participants. New York State residents need to be informed of these potential risks. This bill would require Internet dating service to post a safety awareness notification, which would include a list of recommended safety measures users should take to ensure safe dating.
The bill would also require internet dating services to disclose whether criminal history background screenings have been performed. Some customers may be under the false impression that those they meet through an internet dating service have been checked out by the site's operators when, in fact, the site has no obligation to do so. It is important to make sure those using an Internet dating service know whether or not criminal background screenings are being performed on members. The more information users have, the more steps they can take to ensure their safety.
Prior legislative history
S.6685 2008 01/09/08 REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
Fiscal implications
None.
Local fiscal implications
None. EFFECTIVE DATE : 120 days after enactment.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.