NJ targets online dating sites

NJ targets online dating sites

	Published : Mon, 19 Nov 2007 16:15 By : Agencies Print this Story

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - In another move by state lawmakers to try to boost Internet safety, online dating sites would have to notify New Jersey residents whether they do criminal background checks under a proposal set to be considered this week.

The bill is opposed by Internet companies such as Yahoo!, AOL, eHarmony and Match.com.

But Senate President Richard J. Codey, a bill sponsor, said it's needed to help protect online dating users from predators and force online dating Web sites to take more responsibility for fostering safe practices.

'Let's face it -- the Internet is not going the way of the 8-track tape anytime soon,' said Codey, D-Essex.

The bill, modeled after a 2006 Florida law, was approved by the Senate in March and is scheduled for consideration by an Assembly committee on Monday. The Assembly must pass it and the governor must sign it by Jan. 8 for this version to become law. The new Legislature convenes on Jan. 8 and all unpassed bills will expire.

The law would require Internet dating services to notify customers whether criminal background screenings have been performed as well as detail other safety measures.

If an Internet dating service doesn't conduct criminal background screenings, it would be required to disclose that clearly and conspicuously to all New Jersey members in bold and large capital letters.

If a service does background checks, it must disclose whether it allows people with criminal convictions to have access to the site.

Services who violate the law would face civil penalties under New Jersey's Consumer Fraud Act.

Bill Ashworth, director of state government affairs at Yahoo!, has told lawmakers that background checks are unreliable because of fraud and problems getting information from states with different laws on what information is available.

'Criminal background checks provide users of online dating with a false sense of security,' he said. 'The last thing we want users to do is let their guard down.'

New Jersey officials have been emphasizing Internet safety.

Attorney General Anne Milgram recently sent a subpoena to Facebook.com seeking information on whether convicted New Jersey sex offenders have profiles on the social networking site.

The subpoena is similar to one sent to MySpace.com, which found 268 New Jersey registered sex offenders with accounts.

The state police are also helping train teachers and school administrators on potential Internet dangers for young users.

Codey has also proposed barring released sex offenders from using the Internet.