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HR 3216 99th Congress House

Children's Television Education Act of 1985

Official title: A bill to amend the Communications Act of 1934 to increase the availability of educational and informational television programs for children.

Introduced: August 1, 1985 See on congress.gov
Government Operations and Politics BroadcastingChildren and youthCommunications and BroadcastingEducational television
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
LicensesTelevisionTelevision and childrenTelevision broadcastingTelevision programs
This bill died when the 99th Congress ended
It never became law before the 99th Congress (1985–1986) 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 5 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Oct 28, 1985
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Oct 25, 1985
Subcommittee Hearings Held.
Aug 1, 1985
Referred to Subcommittee on Telecommunications, Consumer Protection and Finance.
Aug 1, 1985
Referred to House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
Aug 1, 1985
Introduced in House
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 Latest action October 28, 1985

Subcommittee Hearings Held.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Children's Television Education Act of 1985 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require each television broadcasting station to broadcast a substantial amount of programming which: (1) serves the educational and informational needs of children who are 12 years old or younger; and (2) is reasonably scheduled throughout the week.

Directs the Federal Communications Commission to designate for hearing any license renewal application by a television station if a petition for denial is filed alleging that the applicant has failed to broadcast a specific minimum amount of such programming. Provides that the burden shall be on the applicant to prove it has fulfilled its obligation to serve the child audience. Permits the Commission to dismiss a petition to deny an application for renewal only if it determines that the petition is frivolous.

Requires the Commission's annual report to the Congress to: (1) list the television licensees whose licenses were renewed notwithstanding a failure to meet children's programming requirements, with an explanation of each such renewal; and (2) describe the implementation of this Act and its impact on children's programming.

Directs the Commission to conduct and report to the Congress on an inquiry into program length commercials for which the primary audience is children who are 12 years old or younger.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3216: Children's Television Education Act of 1985. 99th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3216/
MLA
"H.R. 3216: Children's Television Education Act of 1985." 99th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3216/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3216, 99th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3216/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3216: Children's Television Education Act of 1985](https://openamerica.io/bill/99-HR-3216/)
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