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- Referred to consumer protection
- Referred to consumer protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Prohibits the sale of mature and violent video games to minors
In Assembly Committee · Consumer Affairs And Protection · Sponsor Keith L.T. Wright
Full text
The text isn't available here yet. Check nysenate.gov.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the general business law, in relation to prohibiting sale of certain video games to minors
Purpose
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 provisions
Section 1 adds a new section 391-q 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.
Legislative history
Senate: 2007-08 - S.3866 Referred to Consumer Protection 2006 - S.2711A Referred to Consumer Protection 2005 - S.7140 Referred to Consumer protection 2004 - S.7140 Referred to Consumer Protection Assembly: New Bill- Referred to Consumer Affairs and 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.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.