Video Game Legislation 2007

For many states the 2007 legislative session has already begun or is rapidly approaching. We thought it might be important to see the types of legislation that has been proposed and how it affects the video game industry.

Please note that this list is intended for information purposes only. 2old2play is neither advocating for or against any of these measures. There may also be more measures out there that we were not able to find. Please, if you happen to know of a measure in your state that we have left off this list, let us know and we'll review it to see if it warrants being added.

HB 2031, of the Oklahoma Legislature, directs retailers who sell or rent video games to notify customers that the video game may contain violent content which may be harmful to minors. Violators may be fined up to $100. (Meaning, no matter how old a person is, if that person purchases a violent video game, he must be lectured by the clerk about its content.)

HB 2104, of the Kansas Legislature, not only makes it illegal to sell games with an ESRB rating of M or above to minors, but bans them from displaying them in a manner viewable to minors. (Either the kids can't come in the store or the games have to be locked behind the counter.)

HB 1029, of the Arkansas Legislature, exempts the sale of video games and equipment from the Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday. (Meaning for you Arkansas Folks, you can no longer buy tax free games during the sales tax holiday.)

SB 2726, of the Mississippi Legislature, prohibits the sale of violent video games (rating of M or above) to minors. $100 fine on first offense and $500 fine on subsequent offenses.

SB 238, of the Indiana General Assembly, prohibits the sale of video games with a rating of M to persons under 17 and a rating of AO (adults only) to persons under 18.

A 00547, of the New York Assembly, 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. The measure goes on to define this material as, "depictions descriptive of, advocating or glamorizing commission of a violent crim, suicide, sodomy, rape, incest, bestiality, sadomasochism, any form of sexual activity in a violent context, or advocating or encouraging murder, violent racism, religious violence, morbide violence or the illegal use of drugs or alcohol."

A 02024 & A 02787, of the New York Assembly, provides for the same restrictions as above and also requires such video games be stored in an area not accessible to minors.

H 5136, of the Rhode Island General Assembly, prohibits retailers from offering electronic equipment at a "reduced price" for a "limited time" without posting the number of items available. (Looks like someone waited in a long line this Christmas and then walked away empty handed.)

We love gaming just as much as the rest of the gaming community, so we hope this opens some eyes to the legislation going on in your area. Let us make sure we keep gaming fun for generations to come.