To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a gender identity content descriptor for video programming, and for other purposes.
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9067
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Science, Technology, Communications
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-03T08:06:18Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose The legislation amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require a content descriptor for video programming that depicts, discusses, or promotes gender identity, gender transition, transgender identity, or non-binary identity. The goal is to ensure this descriptor appears on programs marketed to children if the existing voluntary TV Parental Guidelines system does not incorporate it.
Key Provisions
- Within 90 days of enactment, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must determine whether the TV Parental Guidelines have been updated to include the described content descriptor and whether it is being applied consistently to relevant programming rated TV-Y, TV-Y7, or TV-G.
- If the voluntary guidelines do not meet these conditions, the FCC must issue regulations creating the descriptor and requiring video distributors to transmit it alongside qualifying programming.
- The descriptor must be designed, to the extent technically possible, to work with the V-chip (a built-in parental control feature in televisions) and similar technologies.
- A rule of construction states that the section does not ban or censor any video programming.
- The term “TV Parental Guidelines” refers to the voluntary ratings system maintained by the TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board or its successor.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill adds a new Section 723 to Title VII of the Communications Act of 1934. It creates a conditional regulatory requirement: the FCC must act only if the industry’s voluntary ratings system fails to address the specified content. This introduces a new labeling obligation for certain video programming that does not currently exist under federal law.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: The FCC would gain authority to create and enforce a new content descriptor if voluntary compliance is not achieved, potentially increasing its regulatory workload.
- Citizens: Parents could gain an additional tool for identifying and filtering programming containing the described content when using compatible parental-control devices.
- Video distributors and creators: Distributors would be required to implement the descriptor on qualifying children’s programming if the voluntary system does not.
- International relations: No direct effects are outlined in the bill.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- The Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
- Video programming distributors (broadcasters, cable providers, and streaming services).
- The TV Parental Guidelines Monitoring Board.
- Parents and guardians seeking to monitor children’s viewing.
- Producers and creators of video programming marketed to children.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill explicitly states it does not ban or censor programming, focusing instead on labeling. It ties mandatory federal action to the failure of a voluntary industry ratings system, creating a conditional regulatory trigger. The requirement to make the descriptor compatible with existing parental-control technology (such as the V-chip) links the new rule to established consumer-protection features in the Communications Act.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (4)
Rep. Letlow, Julia [R-LA-5], Rep. Hageman, Harriet M. [R-WY-At Large], Rep. Biggs, Sheri [R-SC-3], Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-11]
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-29: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
- 2026-05-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-05-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- To amend the Communications Act of 1934 to provide for a gender identity content descriptor for video programming, and for other purposes. — issued 2026-05-29 — PDF (4 pages)