Two more states ponder game bills

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas' Hot Coffee controversy may be old news, but it appears that some politicians are still going back for refills. Even though several proposed game bills, intended to limit the sales of certain games to minors, have been shot down in court, new politicians are still putting a target on the gaming industry and its ratings system.

Gamepolitics.com is reporting that officials from Indiana and Maryland have thrown their hats into the ring and have drafted up bills that would put restrictions on the sale of games with violent or mature content. The proposals are largely based on similar bills that failed to pass in California, Illinois, and Michigan courts last year.

From Indiana, Senator Dennis Kruse has proposed Senate Bill 0135, which would fine retailers who sell "violent or sexually explicit" games to minors, and Senator Vi Simpson has discussed plans to introduce her own bill aimed at violent games.

"Right now, kids can walk into just about any store and get their hands on a video game in which they can shoot police officers, use drugs, steal cars, rape women or even assassinate a president. That's frightening to say the least," Simpson said last week.

In Maryland, Delegate Wade Kach's proposal aims to block Adults Only-rated games to minors, and Justin Ross has inititated HB 54, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the bill California Assemblyman Leland Yee brought to court last year.

All four bills are expected to go before a judge soon.