Bill Text: NJ A3803 | 2012-2013 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Establishes task force to study the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence.
Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (Democrat 9-4)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2013-02-11 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee [A3803 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2012-A3803-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman BENJIE E. WIMBERLY
District 35 (Bergen and Passaic)
SYNOPSIS
Establishes task force to study the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Act establishing a task force to study the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence.
Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Legislature finds and declares that:
a. A recent rash of public shootings, and in particular the December 14, 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, has drawn urgent public attention to the possible causes of these violent events and the need for governments to prevent such tragedies in the future;
b. Many public figures have suggested that restricting exposure to violence in video games, especially to children and others whose mental state may be susceptible to suggestion, may help to reduce the epidemic of violence in the United States;
c. Several of the perpetrators of recent mass shootings, including the Newtown shooter, frequently played violent video games;
d. In order to make effective public policy, there is a need for policymakers to understand the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence; and
e. Therefore, it is appropriate to establish a task force to study the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence.
2. a. There is established a task force to study the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence.
b. The task force shall consist of 13 members, as follows: the Commissioners of Children and Families, Health, and Human Services, and the Attorney General, or their designees, who shall serve ex officio; two members of the Senate who are not of the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; two members of the General Assembly who are not of the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and five public members to be appointed by the Governor.
Vacancies in the membership of the task force shall be filled in the same manner provided for the original appointments.
c. The task force shall organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members and shall select a chairperson from among its members.
d. The public members shall serve without compensation, but shall be reimbursed for necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties and within the limits of funds available to the task force.
e. The task force shall be entitled to call to its assistance and avail itself of the services of the employees of any State, county, or municipal department, board, bureau, commission, or agency as it may require and as may be available to it for its purposes.
f. The task force may meet and hold hearings as it deems appropriate.
g. The Department of Law and Public Safety shall provide staff support to the task force.
3. The task force shall report its findings and recommendations to the Governor, and to the Legislature pursuant to section 2 of P.L.1991, c.164 (C.52:14-19.1), along with any legislative bills that it desires to recommend for adoption by the Legislature, no later than 12 months after the initial meeting of the task force.
4. This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire upon the issuance of the task force report.
STATEMENT
A recent rash of public shootings, and in particular the December 14, 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, has drawn urgent public attention to the possible causes of these violent events and the need for governments to prevent such tragedies in the future. Many public figures have suggested that restricting exposure to violence in video games, especially to children and others whose mental state may be susceptible to suggestion, may help to reduce the epidemic of violence in the United States. Several of the perpetrators of recent mass shootings, including the Newtown shooter, frequently played violent video games. In order to make effective public policy, there is a need for policymakers to understand the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence.
This bill establishes a task force to study the relationships among video games, mental health, and violence. The task force shall consist of 13 members, as follows: the Commissioners of Children and Families, Health, and Human Services, and the Attorney General, or their designees, as ex officio members; two members of the Senate who are not of the same political party, to be appointed by the President of the Senate; two members of the General Assembly who are not of the same political party, to be appointed by the Speaker of the General Assembly; and five public members to be appointed by the Governor.
The task force is to organize as soon as practicable following the appointment of its members and is to select a chairperson from among its members. The Department of Law and Public Safety is to provide staff support to the task force.
The task force is to report its findings and recommendations to the Governor and the Legislature, along with any legislative bills that it desires to recommend for adoption by the Legislature, no later than 12 months after the initial meeting of the task force.
The bill expires upon the issuance of the task force report.
