Finding love in Washington state can come at a cost.
A bill proposed by two state Democratic lawmakers would impose taxes on dating apps.
Under the terms of the 2071 House Act, dating app companies must pay Washington-based users $1 per month, regardless of whether users pay for the service or not. The money will be used to fund domestic violence programs.
The money will be placed in the newly created National Domestic Violence Service Account, which provides intervention programs and support services to victims.
How to Not Fall in Love with the Romantic Scammers Driven by AI
Various dating apps can be seen on iPhone, including Tinder, Bumble, Hinge, Hud, Hud, Hud, Hud, Wink, Coffee Sups Bagel, Okcupid and lots of fish. (iStock)
The only users excluded are those with inactive accounts that are at least 24 months old.
Fox News Digital is linked to the offices of state representatives Lauren Davis and Shaun Scott, who are both behind the legislation. Fox News Digital also contacted several dating app companies to react.
Davis told Fox News numbers that online dating companies can determine how to absorb costs. “They can simply remove it from the profit, or increase the fee for paid users by one dollar, or may start charging free users (although the latter may be less likely). ”
The bill targets dating apps like Hinge, Match.com, Bumble and Tinder. The legislation was forwarded to the State Legislative Finance Committee in its first reading Tuesday.
Stop these V-day scams before they are sad and bank accounts
Washington State Democrats want taxes on dating apps to help fund domestic violence resources. (Dan Mihai/Getty Images)
Funding for the domestic violence program is provided after lawmakers pass HB 1169's MPs in 2023, which is paid by convicted offenders. Davis said the CVP provided major funding for victim advocates working in the prosecutor’s office.
“When passed through HB 1169, the state promised to buy back the CVP with the General Fund State (GFS) dollar fund losses,” she said. “Unfortunately, the state did not follow this commitment. Prosecutors were forced to fire victim advocates in their offices across the state, and dozens of victims no longer accept victim advocacy services.”
Davis explained that her bill was intended to replace lost funds.
New advanced technology can find your perfect match, says Dating App Founder
She further criticized Washington's legal system, calling it “a nightmare for victims.”
“The system is designed to protect the defendants, not the victims,” she said. “I can’t understand how I will successfully navigate the system without victim advocates, and I am shocked that the victims of geographic location will no longer be given help.
Click here to get the Fox News app
“The purpose of this tax proposal is to comply with the state’s commitment to victims of crime, rather than providing services to victims,” she added. “While taxes do not require taxation, there is a reasonable link between online dating apps and domestic violence.”
