Senator Gilbert offered the following resolution:
Senate Resolution No. 32.
A resolution to urge the Video Software Dealers Association and the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to increase efforts to enforce compliance with ratings systems for violent video games.
Whereas, In a relatively short period of time, violent video games have become a significant threat to the youth of our state and nation. Several studies indicate that exposure to some of these types of games at too early an age can contribute to a number of personality problems, including increased chances of aberrant behavior; and
Whereas, Within the video game industry, a ratings system is in place to help parents and entertainment venues keep the most harmful games away from young children. In spite of the ratings, video games that feature violence and sex continue to be seen by children younger than the ages recommended in the ratings. The extent of this problem is such that many parents, educators, and organizations concerned about children have made repeated calls for stronger enforcement of ratings age limits and more severe penalties for merchants who sell or rent to underage young people; and
Whereas, Although parents and families clearly bear the largest responsibilities in monitoring what their children see and do, there are steps that the video game industry can take to put more pressure on businesses to increase compliance with ratings guidelines in place and to increase penalties for those who violate the ratings system; now, therefore, be it
Resolved by the Senate, That we urge the Video Software Dealers Association and the Entertainment Software Ratings Board to increase efforts to enforce compliance with ratings systems for violent video games and to provide penalties for those who sell or rent video games to young people in violation of established ratings; and be it further
Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Video Software Dealers Association and the Entertainment Software Ratings Board.