Minnesota

MINNESOTA: HF1298 (House) SF 785 (Senate)

This bill prohibits a person under the age of 17 from knowingly renting or purchasing a restricted video game and prohibits an owner of a retail establishment or an employee from renting or selling a restricted video game to a person under the age of 17. A restricted video game means a game rated AO or M by the Entertainment Software Rating Board. These crimes are punishable by a fine of not more than $25 to the purchaser or renter. A retail business that sells or rents restricted video games to the public shall post a clearly visible sign that alerts consumers of the crime and the penalty created under this bill. Establishments must post sign stating persons under 17 cannot rent or purchase AO or M games.

Status: SF0785 signed into law by Gov. Pawlenty June 1st, 2006; First Amendment lawsuit filed by video game industry June 6th, 2006

House

5/18/06 - Passed amended version; back to Senate for concurrance on amendments

4/10/06 - Passed. To House

3/01/06 - Received SF0785 from Senate, referred to Public Safety Policy and Finance

5/23/05 - Returned to Public Safety Policy and Finance

4/11/05 - Second reading

4/4/05 - Reported to House without recommendation

2/24/05 - Introduced; referred to Public Safety Policy and Finance

Senate:

5/20/06 - Passed

5/19/06 - Committee of 3 appointed to review house amendments

5/23/05 - Passed senate - 53/10 to House

3/10/05 - Second reading

3/8/05 - Passed Committee

2/7/05 - Introduced; referred to Crime Prevention and Public Safety

Sponsor(s): Rep. Jeff Johnson (R) ; Sen. Sandra Pappas (D)

Bills would fine underage buyers of M and AO-rated games.

GP Coverage: http://gamepolitics.livejournal.com/tag/minnesota

SF0785: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/bin/bldbill.php?bill=S0785.2.html&session=ls84

HF1298: http://www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/revisor/pages/search_status/status_detail.php?b=House&f=HF1298&ssn=0&y=2005

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