Proposals in Illinois would regulate online dating

1:13 PM, Jan 26, 2012   |    comments
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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Legislation has been introduced in Springfield that would require online dating services operating in Illinois to tell users if they do background checks. 

The Chicago Tribune reports the Illinois proposal would require online dating websites to tell customers if criminal background checks are done before they can start using the sites. Dating websites also will have to post safety tips, like suggesting users not list their home addresses.

If companies don't follow the law they face fines of up to $50,000. There was similar Illinois House legislation seeking to regulate online dating six years ago, but it stalled.

Now there are separate, but similar, bills in both the Illinois House and Illinois Senate. Other states have online dating legislation, like Texas and New Jersey.

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