Which states have online dating laws?

This page is a resource that shares links to states that have laws about online dating safety. Since internet or online dating is still relatively new, having only been around and mainstream for just over 10 years the laws are just starting to catch up to the business of online dating.

This page was assembled as a consumer resource to see which sites have laws relating to safety while using online dating sites. This page will evolve as we collect more resources. Legislation affecting private data sharing and measures that online dating site must take are also shared here and in our online dating safety news updates. 

DateCheckout.com does not take a position either way as to if Online Dating Background checks should be required to be conducted by all dating site by state or federal law. We understand that this is a debated issues and a question of legislative morality. These resources are merely that, links to the insights about the ongoing discussion as it relates to online dating safety.

States that have online dating laws relating either to privacy or safety: (or that are in the midst of enacting them)

Keep in mind that in nearly all cases the only laws in those few states that even have laws relating to online dating are typically laws to protect data loss or require dating site to add to their TOS (terms of service page) if they perform background checks on all new members. 99.9% of all dating sites do not perform background checks.

• New Jersey Internet Dating Act: http://www.state.nj.us/lps/ca/laws/InternetDatingAct.pdf
• Florida
• New Jersey
• Texas
• Connecticut
• California – No laws yet but discussions are ongoing. Here is a signed letter from California Attorney General regarding the states position regarding online dating safety. It is a joint agreement with 3 of the largest dating sites as of 2012.
• Michigan
• Ohio
• Virginia
• Illinois –  effective August 24, 2012 – http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/BillStatus.asp?DocNum=2545&GAID=11&DocTypeID=SB&SessionID=84&GA=97

Federal Laws regulating online dating safety: No laws exist that regulate personals sites or layout a groundwork for safety using online dating sites on a federal level. States individually have just over the past few years though have begun to enact their own laws which vary widely.

If you have new or information please email us to share that link as well. Support@OnlineDatingBackgroundsChecks.com

References: 

1. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/21/online-dating-laws_n_851946.html
2. http://writ.news.findlaw.com/ramasastry/20060928.html
3. http://www.ynot.com/content/106925-6-states-consider-online-dating-regulation-critics-say-laws-unenforceable-ineffective.html
4. http://jezebel.com/5794329/states-consider-new-online-dating-laws
5. http://www.ibls.com/internet_law_news_portal_view.aspx?s=latestnews&id=1684
6. http://www.internetalliance.org/articles/online_dating.shtml
7. http://www.heydary.com/publications/online_dating_service_laws.html
8. http://news.discovery.com/tech/online-dating-background-checks-120727.htm
9. http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-03-28/news/ct-met-legislature-online-dating-0329-20120329_1_background-checks-legislation-sites

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