HB 4970

Abstract

Creates the Internet Dating Disclosure and Safety Awareness Act. Requires an online dating service provider offering services to residents of this State to disclose clearly and conspicuously, to any member who provides a billing address or a zip code in this State when registering with the provider, if the online dating service provider does not initiate a sex offender registrant search. Provides that if an online dating service provider conducts sex offender registry searches and the provider has a policy allowing a member who has been identified as being on a sex offender registry to have access to its service to communicate with any member in this State, the provider shall clearly and conspicuously make a specified disclosure on any communication to a member in this State from the member who has been identified as having been on a sex offender registry, and on any web page that is seen by or transmitted to a member in this State that contains the personal information for the member who has been identified as having been on a sex offender registry and that is seen by or communicated to a member in this State. Provides for other disclosures. Provides language concerning the disclosures. Requires that an online dating service provider that conducts sex offender registrant searches post a safety awareness notification and provides required language for that notification. Provides that failure to comply with the disclosure requirements of the Act shall constitute an unlawful practice under the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Provides that each failure to provide the required disclosure constitutes a separate violation. Amends the Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act. Adds the Internet Dating Disclosure and Safety Awareness Act to the list of Acts the knowing violation of which constitutes an unlawful practice.