79R57 MSE-D

By:  Van Arsdale                                                  H.B. No. 2178



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to restricting motion picture theaters from showing 
certain trailers; providing a civil penalty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Chapter 2157, Occupations Code, is amended by 
adding Section 2157.004 to read as follows:
	Sec. 2157.004.  CERTAIN MOTION PICTURE TRAILERS PROHIBITED.  
(a)  A person who operates or manages a motion picture theater 
showing a main feature motion picture may show to members of the 
audience admitted to view the main feature motion picture a trailer 
or other motion picture advertisement for another motion picture
only as follows:
		(1)  if the main feature is rated G by the Motion 
Picture Association of America, only a trailer or other 
advertisement for another motion picture that has been rated G by 
the Motion Picture Association of America may be shown;
		(2)  if the main feature is rated PG by the Motion 
Picture Association of America, only a trailer or other 
advertisement for another motion picture that has been rated G or PG 
by the Motion Picture Association of America may be shown;
		(3)  if the main feature is rated PG-13 by the Motion 
Picture Association of America, only a trailer or other 
advertisement for another motion picture that has been rated G, PG, 
or PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America may be shown; 
and
		(4)  if the main feature is rated R by the Motion 
Picture Association of America, only a trailer or other 
advertisement for another motion picture that has been rated G, PG, 
PG-13, or R by the Motion Picture Association of America may be 
shown.
	(b)  A person who violates this section is liable to this 
state for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed $5,000 for each 
violation.
	(c)  The civil penalty may be recovered in a suit brought by 
the county attorney of the county in which the violation is alleged 
to have occurred.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.