Judge James M. Rosenbaum, ruled that the state law unconstitutionally impinges on expressions protected by the First Amendment. The law was set to go into effect on August 1, 2006. The law would have imposed $25 fines on children under 17 who bought or rented video games rated Mature (M) or Adults Only (AO).
The bill was first signed into law and on June 6, 2006. Judge Rosenbaum found that the State of Minnesota was incapable of showing a causal link between the playing of video games and any deleterious effect on the psychological, moral, or ethical well-being of minors. Absent compelling evidence, the bill failed the strict scrutiny test necessary to survive a First Amendment challenge.
Florida, Delaware, Maryland, Indiana have similar laws pending final enactment.
Similar federal legislation was introduced in Congress in 2005.
Similar laws in Michigan, Washington State, Illinois, Indianapolis and St. Louis were ruled unconstitutional and permanently enjoined.
Similar laws in Louisiana and Oklahoma are currently challenged.
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