Michigan lawmakers voted 75-14 this week to approve a bill by Rep. Jim Howell, R-St. Charles, requiring Internet matchmakers to prominently disclose whether criminal background checks have been made. The bill was introduced at the request of Herb Vest, a Dallas businessman who founded True.com. The legislation doesn’t require background checks. Instead, it requires services with Michigan members to warn people on their Web sites whether background checks have been conducted. It would also distinguish between an FBI background check based on a name, or a less-reliable commercial service that tries to capture public records. Howell — who said he knows little about dating services since he’s married — said enforcing Internet business is tricky. He said his bill will instead make it easier for people to sue if they’ve been ripped off or hurt by a date and the dating service lied about background checks. It would be limited to actual damages or $250,000, whichever is lower. Link (reg. req’d)
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