PRINTER'S NO. 1278
No. 175 Session of 2005
INTRODUCED BY WATERS, BELARDI, BISHOP, CALTAGIRONE, CORRIGAN,
DALEY, D. EVANS, FABRIZIO, GRUCELA, JOSEPHS, KIRKLAND,
METCALFE, STABACK, TIGUE, THOMAS AND YOUNGBLOOD,
MARCH 29, 2005
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON CHILDREN AND YOUTH, MARCH 29, 2005
A RESOLUTION
1 Directing the Children and Youth Committee to investigate the
2 effects of violent interactive video games on the children of
3 this Commonwealth.
4 WHEREAS, Within the last ten years the video game market,
5 particularly the use of home video game systems, has exploded
6 throughout this Commonwealth and the nation; and
7 WHEREAS, Video games are available to children not only at
8 traditional places of business specializing in amusement but
9 also through a variety of retail outlets and magazine sales for
10 home use and by communication on the Internet; and
11 WHEREAS, Improvements to the picture, speed and resolution of
12 the new age of video games have made the depiction of
13 characters, places and events contained in the games amazingly
14 realistic; and
15 WHEREAS, Some, but not all, video games contain graphic and
16 repeated scenes of violence which include decapitation,
17 bloodshed, dismemberment, killing and death by the use of lethal
1 weapons or hand-to-hand combat; and
2 WHEREAS, The General Assembly recognizes that violent crime
3 is a serious and persistent problem in our society, especially
4 among our youth; and
5 WHEREAS, The General Assembly further recognizes that, as
6 confirmed by current scientific data, the repeated exposure to
7 graphic violence and participation in violent interactive games
8 may contribute to violent behavior by our youth and desensitizes
9 them to acts of violence; and
10 WHEREAS, Information regarding the content of graphic
11 violence in movies and television programs as well as the lyrics
12 of music is provided to consumers and parents so that they may
13 make choices concerning the depiction of violence and whether
14 they elect to have their children exposed to violent content;
15 therefore be it
16 RESOLVED, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives
17 direct the Children and Youth Committee to investigate the
18 effects of violent interactive video games on the children of
19 this Commonwealth; and be it further
20 RESOLVED, That the committee be authorized to hold hearings,
21 take testimony and make its investigations at such places as it
22 deems necessary in this Commonwealth; and be it further
23 RESOLVED, That the committee be authorized to issue subpoenas
24 under the hand and seal of its chairman commanding any person to
25 appear before the committee and to answer questions touching
26 matters properly being inquired into by the committee and to
27 produce such books, papers, records and documents as the
28 committee deems necessary; and be it further
29 RESOLVED, That subpoenas be servable upon any person and have
30 the same effect as subpoenas issued out of the courts of this
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1 Commonwealth and that any person that willfully neglects or
2 refuses to testify before the committee or to produce any books,
3 papers, records or documents be subject to the penalties
4 provided by the laws of this Commonwealth in such cases; and be
5 it further
6 RESOLVED, That each member of the committee have power to
7 administer oaths and affirmations to witnesses appearing before
8 the committee; and be it further
9 RESOLVED, That the committee report to the House of
10 Representatives on its activities, findings and recommendations
11 within 180 days of the adoption of this resolution; and be it
12 further
13 RESOLVED, That the expenses incurred by the committee in
14 carrying out its responsibilities, including per diem and travel
15 expenses incurred by members and regular staff, stenographic
16 charges and other incidental expenses, be paid from appropriate
17 accounts under the control of the chief clerk and be in addition
18 to any other amount authorized for expenses for contractors,
19 consultants and staff.
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