US games bill reaches Congress
Clinton pushes for new law
Senators Hillary Clinton, Joe Lieberman and Evan Bayh have today put-forth their Family Entertainment Protection Act to congress, an attempt at national level to enforce game sales restrictions thus far defeated at a state level via the constitution. The bill aims to make age ratings on titles legally enforceable, with fines for retailers found selling games with adult ratings to minors (those under the age of seventeen).
"Video games are hot holiday items, and there are certainly wonderful games that help our children learn and increase hand and eye coordination," read a statement issued by Hillary Clinton. "However, there are also games that are just not appropriate for our nation's youth. This bill will help empower parents by making sure their kids can't walk into a store and buy a video game that has graphic, violent and pornographic content."
The bill proposes 1,000 USD fines or 100 hours community service for store managers found selling games to minors, and 5,000 USD fines or 500 hours community service to those repeatedly flaunting ratings. Retailers duped by false ID, or those generally taking an active approach to preventing the sale of games to minors can still escape punishment. Additionally, the law will enable the yearly scrutinising of ratings awarded to games, and also enable a panel to examine more obscure cases (such as the GTA 'Hot Coffee' scandal). We'll keep you posted on this.
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