The website of Oklahoma Governor Brad Henry (R, seen at left) indicates that the Governor has signed into law HB3004, video game legislation proposed by Rep. Fred Morgan (R). Henry had until tomorrow to take action on the bill, and aides had indicated to GamePolitics that he was likely to approve the measure.
The new statute, scheduled to take effect on November 1st, would include violent video games among items defined as "harmful to minors." (and therefore unlawful to sell or rent to minors). Oddly enough, the measure also includes unrelated language added by the Oklahoma Senate regarding signage around strip clubs and porn shops.
Rep. Morgan is running for Congress and faces a July primary.
Oklahoma thus becomes the eighth U.S. jurisdiction to enact such a law. Previous statues in St. Louis, Indianapolis, Washington State, Illinois, and Michigan were found unconstitutional. California's video game law is currently under review by Federal District Court Judge Ronald Whyte. Minnesota's governor signed that state's bill into law last week. An lawsuit has already been filed there.
