By JOHN THOMPSON
jthompson@TheCitizenNews.com

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.