SB 437 - This act defines an international matchmaking organization as a legal entity that does business in the United States and for-profit offers to residents of Missouri, dating, matrimonial, or social referral services involving citizens of foreign countries who are not residing in the United States. Such business shall include, but is not limited to, the exchange of names, telephone numbers, addresses, and other information, the selection of photos, or the creation of a social environment in a country other than the United States. Such businesses shall not include a traditional matchmaking organization of a religious nature or an organization that does not charge a fee. This act requires international matchmaking organizations to provide notice to each recruit from another country that certain information regarding clients is available. Such an organization must disseminate the criminal history record information and marital history information of a client along with basic rights information within 30 days after it receives the information.
A client of an organization must obtain his or her own criminal history and give it to the organization along with the marital history information. The organization must require the client to affirm that the information is accurate and complete.
An organization shall not provide any further services to the client or recruit until the required information is received and provided to the recruit. It is a Class D felony to wilfully provide incomplete or false information or to violate the requirements of notice and providing information as required by this section.
This act is similar to certain provisions of CCS/SS/SCS/HCS/HB 353 (2005).
SUSAN HENDERSON