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Bill

SB 1390

Online dating services: background checks.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Caroline Menjivar

SB 1390 mandates California online dating services conduct criminal background checks on users to improve platform safety and reduce exploitation risk.

From committee with author's amendments. Read second time and amended. Re-referred to Com. on RLS.
#onlinedatingservices #backgroundchecks
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 1390

Legislative bill overview

SB 1390 would require online dating services operating in California to conduct background checks on users, likely screening for criminal history and sex offender registry status. The bill is currently in the Rules Committee stage after being introduced in February 2026 and undergoing author amendments in March.

Why is this important

Online dating safety is a genuine public concern, with documented cases of violence and exploitation through dating platforms. Background check requirements could reduce harm to vulnerable users, though implementation raises questions about effectiveness, cost, and who bears the financial burden.

Potential points of contention

  • Cost and compliance burden: Mandatory background checks significantly increase operational costs for dating platforms, potentially passed to consumers or creating barriers for smaller services
  • Privacy and data security concerns: Collecting and storing sensitive background check data creates privacy risks and security vulnerabilities that could harm users if breached
  • Effectiveness questions: Background checks only flag prior convictions; they won't prevent first-time offenders and may create false sense of security while missing dangerous individuals with clean records
  • Interstate and federal jurisdiction issues: Dating platforms operate across state lines, raising questions about which jurisdiction's background check standards apply and federal preemption concerns

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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