New York senate has passed legislation creating a governmental advisory council to examine potential impact on violent video games.
The bill, which won with a vote of 61-1, mirrors one passed by the New York State Assembly, and is now on its way to Governor David Paterson. If he signs it, the new law would be in effect from September 2010.
The legislation requires consoles to be equipped with parental controls, and makes all games require the ESRB rating to be displayed on all packaging.
The 16-member advisory council will make recommendations to the ESRB in relation to game ratings, and will also set up a parent-teacher violence awareness program to help students who may have a leaning towards violence.
In reality, most of the bill just makes it a requirement to follow what is already a well used voluntary system of rating games.