SALE OR RENTAL OF VIDEO GAMES S.B. 249: COMMITTEE SUMMARY
Senate Bill 249 (as introduced 2-24-05)
Sponsor: Senator Hansen Clarke
Committee: Judiciary
Date Completed: 5-9-05
CONTENT
The bill would amend the Michigan Penal Code to prohibit a person from selling or renting a "restricted video game" to a person who was under 17 years of age. A violation of the bill would be a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year's imprisonment, a maximum fine of $5,000, or both.
"Restricted video game" would mean a video game rated AO (adults only) or M (mature) by the entertainment software rating board.
Proposed MCL 750.143a Legislative Analyst: Patrick Affholter
FISCAL IMPACT
The bill would have an indeterminate fiscal impact on State and local government. There are no data to indicate how many offenders would be convicted for the proposed misdemeanor. Local governments would incur the costs of incarceration and probation, both of which vary by county. Public libraries would benefit from additional penal fine revenue.
Fiscal Analyst: Bethany Wicksall
Analysis was prepared by nonpartisan Senate staff for use by the Senate in its deliberations and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent. sb249/0506