I 
109TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 5345 
To require ratings labels on video games and to prohibit the sales and 
rentals of adult-rated video games to minors. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
MAY 10, 2006 
Mr. MATHESON (for himself and Mr. RENZI) introduced the following bill; 
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To require ratings labels on video games and to prohibit 
the sales and rentals of adult-rated video games to minors. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Video Games Ratings 
Enforcement Act’’. 
SEC. 2. RATING LABEL REQUIREMENT FOR VIDEO GAMES. 
(a) CONDUCT PROHIBITED.—It shall be unlawful for 
any person to ship or otherwise distribute in interstate 
commerce, or to sell or rent, a video game that does not 
contain a rating label, in a clear and conspicuous location 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:12 May 11, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5345.IH
H5345
cchase on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
on the outside packaging of the video game, containing 
an age-based content rating determined by the Entertain-
ment Software Ratings Board. 
(b) REQUIREMENT OF RETAILERS TO POST RATINGS 
INFORMATION.—Not later than 180 days after the date 
of the enactment of this Act, the Federal Trade Commis-
sion shall promulgate rules requiring all retail establish-
ments engaged in the sale of video games to display, in 
a clear and conspicuous location, information about the 
content rating system of the Entertainment Software Rat-
ings Board. Such rules shall prescribe the information re-
quired to be displayed concerning the basic age-based con-
tent ratings of such Board. 
SEC. 3. PROHIBITION ON SALES AND RENTALS OF ADULT- 
RATED VIDEO GAMES TO MINORS. 
It shall be unlawful for any person to sell or rent, 
or attempt to sell or rent— 
(1) any video game containing a content rating 
of ‘‘Adults Only’’ (as determined by the Entertain-
ment Software Ratings Board) to any person under 
the age of 18; or 
(2) any video game containing a content rating 
of ‘‘Mature’’ (as determined by such Board) to any 
person under the age of 17. 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:12 May 11, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5345.IH
H5345
cchase on PROD1PC60 with BILLS
SEC. 4. ENFORCEMENT BY THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMIS-
SION. 
(a) UNFAIR OR DECEPTIVE ACT OR PRACTICE.—A 
violation of sections 2 or 3 shall be treated as a violation 
of a rule defining an unfair or deceptive act or practice 
prescribed under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade 
Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). The Federal 
Trade Commission shall enforce this Act in the same man-
ner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction 
as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Fed-
eral Trade Commission Act were incorporated into and 
made a part of this Act. 
(b) PENALTY.—Notwithstanding section 5(m) of the 
Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 45(m)), any 
person who violates section 2 or 3 of this Act shall be 
subject to a civil penalty of not more than $5,000 per vio-
lation. 
Æ 
VerDate Aug 31 2005 
23:12 May 11, 2006
Jkt 049200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H5345.IH
H5345
cchase on PROD1PC60 with BILLS