THE DAILY JOURNAL -- Mar 15 -- Released sex offenders would be barred from using the Internet and online dating sites would face new security rules under bills to be considered today by the Senate. Senate President Richard J. Codey is sponsoring the legislative package that has raised constitutional questions and opposition from Internet companies. Released sex offenders caught using the Internet would face up to 18 months in jail and fines of up to $10,000. A bill also would require online dating sites to notify New Jersey residents whether they do background checks, a proposal opposed by Internet companies such as Yahoo!, AOL, eHarmony and Match.com. "Criminal background checks provide users of online dating with a false sense of security," said Bill Ashworth, director of state government affairs at Yahoo! No federal law imposes Internet restrictions on convicted sex offenders, but Florida and Nevada have enacted such measures. FULL ARTICLE @ THE DAILY JOURNAL