It will be

a little more difficult to run a dating and escort service in Fulton

County.

The Fulton

County Commission passed an ordinance last week that regulates the services.

Previously, the county had no ordinances or regulations concerning these

businesses.

Under the

ordnance, an applicant has to furnish background information, such as

name and address, to the tax commissioner's office. After providing

the information, the applicant is subjected to a background check and

must provide Fulton County $50 for the check.

Applicants

also are required to furnish three character witnesses and two recent

photographs. The applicant must also have a fairly clean criminal background

and cannot have been convicted of any crimes involving sexual offenses,

the lottery, illegal possession or sale of narcotics or alcoholic beverages

for five years.

If the person

passes all the background checks, he must then pay a license fee of

$250. No person under 18 is allowed to be employed by an escort or dating

service in any capacity.

The ordinance

also outlines reasons for suspension of the license. Reasons include:

The licensee

is engaged in the business under a false name.

The person

is addicted to the habitual use of intoxicating liquors or narcotics.

The applicant

fails to pay all the fees.

The licensee

refuses to accept a client solely on the basis of race, color, national

origin, religious belief or sexual orientation.

The establishment

is a threat or nuisance to public health.

The effective

date of the ordinance is Jan. 1, 2001.