A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 145.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
The Romance Scam Prevention Act requires online dating service providers to notify members if they have interacted with a member who has been banned for fraud. This notification must include the banned member's identifier, the timing of recent messages, and warnings about potential fraud or false identities. Providers must deliver these clear and conspicuous alerts via email, text, or other consented methods within specific timeframes. The bill establishes federal enforcement through the Federal Trade Commission and allows for state attorney general actions. It also creates a single national standard for these notifications to prevent varying state laws. The act takes effect one year after enactment.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +8
Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices?
The bill requires dating services to warn members about potential fraud and false identities.
- Scored +3
Does this give people more control over their personal data?
The bill mandates notifications that include specific profile identifiers and timing of interactions to increase user awareness.
- Scored +3
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill empowers the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce consumer protection standards.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Increased Awareness of Fraud Risk: Members will be notified if they have messaged someone who was banned due to a significant risk of attempting to obtain cash or currency through fraudulent means. (Section 2(a)(1) and Section 2(d)(3))
-
Protection of Financial Information: The bill requires notifications to include a statement advising members not to send cash, other forms of currency, or personal financial information to other members. (Section 2(a)(2)(C))
-
Education on Safety: Notifications must include information regarding best practices to avoid online fraud or being defrauded by other members. (Section 2(a)(2)(D))
-
Accountability through Enforcement: The Federal Trade Commission is empowered to enforce the act, treating violations as unfair or deceptive acts or practices. (Section 2(b)(1))
-
State-Level Protection: State attorneys general may bring civil actions on behalf of their residents if they believe interests are being threatened or adversely affected by violations. (Section 2(b)(2)(A))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
Delays in Notifications during Investigations: Law enforcement officials can request a delay in providing fraud ban notifications, which may impact how quickly a member receives a warning. (Section 2(a)(3)(B)(iii))
-
Limited Legal Recourse for Providers: Online dating service providers are granted a "safe harbor," meaning they are not liable for claims based on how they communicate or time the fraud ban notifications. (Section 2(a)(4))
-
Restriction of State Regulatory Authority: The bill prevents states or political subdivisions from maintaining or enforcing any laws that affect how online dating providers must provide these notifications. (Section 2(c)(1))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill requires dating services to warn members about potential fraud and false identities.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — Providing warnings against sending cash helps protect households from losing money to online scams. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The bill provides security for users of digital platforms, which are widely used in urban areas.
- Education And Technology
- Does this give people more control over their personal data? — The bill mandates notifications that include specific profile identifiers and timing of interactions to increase user awareness.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill empowers the FTC and state attorneys general to enforce consumer protection standards.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — By warning members against sending currency to scammers, the bill helps prevent financial loss from fraud.
- 12/15/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 12/4/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/2/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 119-58.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 145.
- 3/12/2025
- Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
- 3/4/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado
Rick ScottRepublican · Florida
Raphael WarnockDemocrat · Georgia