New York videogame bill signed into law

Entertainment Merchants Assn. legislative update for July

By Cheryl Cheng -- Video Business, 8/7/2008

AUG. 7 | The following summarizes key government affairs activities during June of the Entertainment Merchants Assn.

• New York Videogame Bill: New York Governor David A. Patterson signed into law the videogame bill that will require videogames to clearly display ratings on their packaging; videogame consoles sold in New York to allow parents to block games with certain content or ratings; and establish an advisory commission to review game ratings. EMA opposed the bill and found it unnecessary.

• North Carolina Videogame Study Bill: North Carolina legislature added a videogame provision to the state’s annual funding bill (H2436) in which a task force will be established to “develop a comprehensive strategic plan with recommendations for preventing childhood obesity.” The plan will include developing programs that limit children’s time with videogames.

• Videogame Ratings Enforcement Act: EMA opposes U.S. Senator Roger Wicker’s “Videogame Ratings Enforcement Act,” which will bar the sale of Mature-rated videogames to anyone under 17 and Adults Only-rated videogames to anyone under 18. Videogames also must be clearly labeled with their Entertainment Software Ratings Board content rating. EMA believes the bill is unconstitutional and unnecessary.

• Suffolk County New York Secondhand Goods Ordinance: EMA voiced concern over the Suffolk County, N.Y., secondhand articles ordinance and local law enforcement’s directives on compliance with the ordinance.

• Indiana “Adult Product” Registration Law: The state of Indiana chose not to appeal the federal court ruling that the “Adult Product” registration law is unconstitutional. The law would require businesses that intend to sell or offer material that is “harmful for minors” to register.