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HR 910 105th Congress House

Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require that violent television programming is limited to broadcast after the hours when children are reasonably lik… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to require that violent television programming is limited to broadcast after the hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience, unless it is specifically rated on the basis of its violent content so that it is blockable by electronic means specifically on the basis of that content.

Introduced: April 24, 1997 Introduced by: Markey, Edward J. Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
Science, Technology, Communications Administrative procedureCable televisionCongressCongressional reporting requirements
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Crime and Law EnforcementFamiliesFederal Communications CommissionGovernment Operations and PoliticsIndependent regulatory commissionsLawLicensesStandardsSubscription televisionTelevision and childrenTelevision broadcastingTelevision programsTelevision stationsViolence in television
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This bill died when the 105th Congress ended
It never became law before the 105th Congress (1997–1998) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 7, 1997
Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.
Mar 4, 1997
Referred to the House Committee on Commerce.
Mar 4, 1997
Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E368-369)
Mar 4, 1997
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 7, 1997

Referred to the Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Trade, and Consumer Protection.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make it unlawful for any person to distribute to the public any violent video programming not blockable by electronic means specifically on the basis of its violent content during hours when children are reasonably likely to comprise a substantial portion of the audience.

Requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations to implement this Act. Authorizes the FCC, as part of its rulemaking proceeding, to exempt programming (including news programs and sporting events) whose distribution does not conflict with the objective of protecting children from the negative influences of violent video programming. Exempts premium and pay-per-view cable programming.

Requires the FCC to immediately revoke the license of any person who repeatedly violates this Act and to consider, in its review of an application for a renewal of a license, whether the licensee has complied with this Act.

Directs the FCC to: (1) assess the effectiveness of measures taken by this Act; and (2) report assessment findings to specified congressional committees.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • S 363 Identical bill Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 4
All 4 Democratic 1
BEREUTER, DOUGLAS
· May 20, 1997
 D
Kaptur, Marcy
Ohio · Apr 24, 1997
LIPINSKI, WILLIAM
· Mar 20, 1997
GREENWOOD, JAMES
· Mar 4, 1997
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 910: Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act. 105th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-910/
MLA
"H.R. 910: Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act." 105th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-910/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 910, 105th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-910/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 910: Children's Protection from Violent Programming Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/105-HR-910/)
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