2004 House Bill 6234

Require dating service criminal background checks

Introduced in the House

Sept. 22, 2004

Introduced by Rep. Jim Howell (R-94)

To require online dating services to perform criminal background checks on anyone who signs up for the service and seeks to communicate with another person using the service.

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary

Sept. 29, 2004

Reported without amendment

With the recommendation that the substitute (H-2) be adopted and that the bill then pass.

Substitute offered

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that does not require dating services to run background checks, but does require them to disclose whether they do so.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Substitute offered by Rep. John Pappageorge (R-41)

To replace the previous version of the bill with one that requires dating services which do perform criminal background checks on clients to establish a policy for how they will use the information uncovered.

The substitute passed by voice vote

Passed in the House 75 to 14 (details)

To require online dating services to disclose on their website whether they perform criminal background checks on users who seek to communicate with another person using the service, and if so, whether they use private background check services or the much more expensive but comprehensive FBI reports.

Received in the Senate

Sept. 30, 2004

Referred to the Committee on Judiciary