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History
- 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
BILL NUMBER:S308
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 ban the sale of certain designated adult games containing racist stereotypes, derogatory language, and/or actions toward specific groups of persons to minors under the age of 18. It would also require purchasers of these games to show a valid form of identification in order to purchase the game.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 adds a new section 391-r to the general business law that forbids the sale of mature video games containing racist stereotypes, derogatory language, and/or actions toward specific groups of persons to minors younger than the age of 18 and requires that the purchaser show a valid form of identification in order to purchase the game.
Justification
Video games depicting violent or derogatory acts against specific types of racial and ethnic groups are extremely detrimental to society. These games are racist and discriminatory in nature, and they should not be sold without restrictions. Children exposed to such ideas through video games are more likely to imitate the actions of the characters. 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. Children are the most impressionable group in society, so we must prevent racial or discriminatory ideas and actions from being seen by them in a glorified manner.
These measures must be taken to end the spread of stereotypes and violence in society, this bill would prevent children from gaining access to video games that contain racial stereotypes and/or violence against minority groups. Vendors of video games will be prohibited from selling video games that are deemed to contain racial themes or violence to those under 18. Similar legislation has been introduced in other states such as New Jersey, Washington, Hawaii, Florida, and California.
Legislative history
2010: S.753 Referred to Consumer Protection
This bill was first introduced in 2004 S.2783 02/12/07 Referred to Consumer Protection 01/09/08 Referred to Consumer Protection
A.4949 02/12/07 Referred to Economic Development 01/09/08 Referred to Economic Development 06/03/08 Reported Referred to Codes
S.3561 02/25/11 Referred to Consumer Protection 01/04/12 Referred to Consumer Protection
Fiscal implications
None.
Effective date
This act shall take effect on the 120th 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.