A01474 Summary:

BILL NO    A01474 

SAME AS    Same as S 699

SPONSOR    Wright

COSPNSR    

MLTSPNSR   

Add S391-q, Gen Bus L

Prohibits the sale to minors of certain rated video games containing a rating
that reflects content of various degrees of profanity, racist stereotypes or
derogatory language, and/or actions toward a specific group of persons.

A01474 Actions:

BILL NO    A01474 

01/07/2009 referred to consumer affairs and protection
01/06/2010 referred to consumer affairs and protection

A01474 Votes:

A01474 Memo:

 BILL NUMBER:  A1474

 TITLE OF BILL :  An act to amend the general business law, in
relation to prohibiting sale of certain video games to minors

 PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL :  This bill would prevent minors
under the age of 18 from purchasing video games that have a mature or
violent rating, and it requires the purchaser to show a valid form of
identification in order to purchase the game. These games, containing
adult images such as morbid violence, rape, alcohol and illegal drug
use, as well as other malicious acts, are not appropriate for children
under 18. This legislation will regulate the sale of such games.

 SUMMARY OF SPECIFIC PROVISIONS :  Section 1 adds a new section 391-p
to the General Business Law, to prohibit the sale or rental of video
games with a "mature" or "violent" rating to any individual under the
age of 18. It also requires retailers or rental outlets to request
identification from individuals seeking to buy or rent these products.

Section 2 is a severability clause.

Section 3 establishes an effective date.

 JUSTIFICATION :  Video games containing purely adult images,
situations, and scenarios are far too readily available to children
who often purchase these games without any resistance from sellers.
Studies have shown that younger children who are exposed to games
containing morbid violence, illegal use of drugs and alcohol, violent
crime, rape, and suicide are more likely to partake in these crimes as
they mature.

This bill would ban the sale of video games that have been given a
violent or mature rating to minors under the age of 18, and it would
require purchasers of these games to show a valid form of
identification in order to be sold. The bill would take a step towards
preventing our children from being influenced by the glamorization of
violence portrayed in such video games. Video games that include acts
such as violent crime, suicide, sodomy, rape, incest, bestiality,
sadomasochism, racism, religious violence, and the illegal use of
drugs or alcohol will be inaccessible to the most easily influenced
group.

Similar legislation has already been introduced in other states, such
as New Jersey, Washington, Hawaii, Florida, and California.

 PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :
2007 - A.547 2006 - A.10416
2005 - Senate: S.2711A
2004 - Senate:  S.7140, referred to Consumer Protection

 FISCAL IMPLICATIONS :  None to the state.

 EFFECTIVE DATE :  This act shall take effect on the one hundred
twentieth day after it shall have become a law.