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S 1629 116th Congress Senate Commerce Child health Civil actions and liability Congressional oversight Consumer affairs Digital media Games and hobbies Government studies and investigations Internet and video services Internet, web applications, social media Medical research

A bill to regulate certain pay-to-win microtransactions and sales of loot boxes in interactive digital entertainment products, and for other purposes.

Introduced: May 23, 2019 Introduced by: Hawley, Josh Republican · Missouri See on congress.gov
 Everywhere this bill has been 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
May 23, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
May 23, 2019
Introduced in Senate
 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

This bill prohibits the publication or distribution of interactive video games and digital entertainment products that (1) include pay-to-win features and (2) are targeted to minors under the age of 18.

Pay-to-win features include making available for purchase assistance, advantages, or other awards that a reasonable user would perceive provides a competitive advantage in the progression of the game or product over those users who do not make such purchase. Pay-to-play features do not include purchases (1) that alter only the appearance of the game, (2) of game modes that make game-play progression more difficult that without such purchase, or (3) of add-ons that do not assist in the progression of the underlying game or product.

Additionally, game publishers and distributors are prohibited from including pay-to-play features in games and digital entertainment products that are not targeted to minors but where the publisher or distributor reasonably should know that minors use such games or products.

What's happening now May 23, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1