HB4970 - Internet Dating Disclosure and Safety Awareness Act

• Requires online dating service providers offering services to Illinois residents to clearly disclose whether they conduct sex offender registry searches on members before allowing communication.

• Mandates specific disclosure language and formatting (bold capital letters, at least 12 point type, contrasting color) positioned no more than 3 inches from top of registration web page, with required electronic acknowledgement from applicants.

• If provider conducts searches, must notify members identified as sex offenders within the registry and allow 10 days for dispute; provider must resolve accuracy disputes within 30 days.

• Requires providers conducting sex offender searches to establish automatic electronic link to safety awareness notification page that includes cautionary statements about search limitations and lists safer dating practices.

• Violation of disclosure requirements constitutes unlawful practice under Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, with each failure to provide required disclosure counted as separate violation; exempts Internet service providers with fewer than 1,000 members.