SF 785

1st Unofficial Engrossment - 84th Legislature (2005 - 2006) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

1.1                                         A bill for an act
1.2      relating to crime prevention; prohibiting children under the age of 17 from 
1.3     renting or purchasing certain video games; prohibiting retailers selling or renting 
1.4     certain video games; providing penalties; proposing coding for new law in 
1.5     Minnesota Statutes, chapter 609.
1.6      BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

1.7          Section 1. [609.6855] RESTRICTED VIDEO GAMES; PROHIBITIONS.
1.8         Subdivision 1. Definition. As used in this section, "restricted video game" means a 
1.9     video game rated AO or M by the Entertainment Software Rating Board.
1.10        Subd. 2. Prohibited acts; penalty. A person under the age of 17 may not knowingly 
1.11    rent or purchase a restricted video game. A person who violates this subdivision is subject 
1.12    to a civil penalty of not more than $25.
1.13        Subd. 3. Retailer prohibited act; penalty. A retailer may not knowingly sell or 
1.14    rent a sexually violent restricted video game to a person under the age of 17. A retailer 
1.15    who violates this subdivision is subject to a civil penalty of not more than $25.
1.16        Subd. 4. Severability. The provisions of this section are severable.
1.17        Subd. 5. Posted sign required. A person or entity engaged in the retail business 
1.18    of selling or renting video games from a location or structure with access to the public 
1.19    shall post a sign in at least 20 point type or larger in a location that is clearly visible 
1.20    to consumers. The sign must display the following language:  "It is against the law for 
1.21    a person under 17 to rent or purchase a video game rated AO or M.  Violators may be 
1.22    subject to a $25 penalty." 
1.23    EFFECTIVE DATE.This section is effective August 1, 2006, and applies to 
1.24    violations committed on or after that date.