New YorkA 4282025-2026 Regular SessionHouseWALLET

Relates to online dating services

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

7 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Guaranteed referrals or your money back

If your contract costs more than $25, it must say how many referrals you get each month. If the seller misses the required referrals for two months in a row, you can cancel and get your money back. For online services that use search or matching, you can cancel if you get no referrals for two straight months. The seller may keep 15% of the cash price or a prorated amount for referrals already given, whichever is higher.

Price and term limits for dating services

The law caps the cash price of a social referral contract at $1,000 and limits service terms to two years. These limits do not apply to online dating contracts with initial and renewal terms of one year or less. Providers also cannot force you to buy add‑on services to enroll.

3-day cancellation and Bill of Rights

You get a full written contract in your main language and a tear‑off cancellation form. You can cancel without a fee within three business days after you get the contract. Sellers must also give you a separate “Dating Service Consumer Bill of Rights” that explains price and time limits, add‑on rules, referrals, cancellations, distance and move policies, and your right to sue. Online services may show this notice as a clear, labeled link.

Fraud-ban alerts to New York users

If a member is banned for using a false identity or posing a fraud risk, the service must warn New York users who replied to that person on the platform. The notice must include the banned member’s username, a warning to never send money or financial info, and a link to fraud tips. It must be sent by email, text, or similar within 24 hours, or no later than three days if that timing works better. The law defines who is covered and lets services share a name or image used on the platform for this purpose, and protects services that share the ban and ID without other personal data.

Pause membership and set travel distance

You can put your membership on hold for up to one year by writing to the provider. You and the provider can agree to a hold up to two years. Every contract must include a fair policy for when you move outside the service area. Contracts must also state how far you want to travel for a referral, and providers cannot send referrals beyond that distance. This distance rule does not apply to online dating services available regionally, nationally, or globally.

Stronger enforcement and local licensing caps

The Attorney General can stop violations, get refunds, and seek fines up to $1,000 per violation, using subpoenas and a special proceeding with at least five days’ notice. You can sue to stop a violation and recover your actual losses or $50, whichever is more. Cities with over 1 million people can also enforce this law and require licenses. Any license fee is capped at $340 for two years, and local rules cannot be stricter than state law.

Your data can't be sold or kept

Contracts must say the provider will not sell or share your personal information without your written OK. When your contract ends, the provider must return your data by certified mail or destroy and delete it, and tell you it did so. They may keep data only if a law or court order requires it.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Clyde Vanel
Democratic • House

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 61 • No: 0

House vote • 1/28/2025

FLOOR Vote