• Variety, Friday, December 2, 2005 10:15 AM

Senators Hillary Clinton (D-NY) and Joseph Lieberman (D-Conn.) have drafted details for a bill that will ban the sale of video games rated M ("mature") or AO ("adults only") to minors. The so-called Family Entertainment Act, which will be introduced to Congress in the next two weeks, has already drawn fire from industry trade groups, which are certain to sue if the bill becomes a law. Some states, like California, Michigan, and Illinois, have passed laws to stop the sale of certain video games to minors, while others like Indiana and Michigan have struck down such laws on First Amendment grounds. According to a recent study, nearly half of the children surveyed between nine and 16 were able to buy games intended for adults without an adult present. The video game industry already posts ratings on games voluntarily through the Entertainment Software Rating Board. The bill would enforce federal compliance with its ratings.

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