
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 47USC303a]

 
          TITLE 47--TELEGRAPHS, TELEPHONES, AND RADIOTELEGRAPHS
 
                 CHAPTER 5--WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION
 
          SUBCHAPTER III--SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO RADIO
 
                       Part I--General Provisions
 
Sec. 303a. Standards for children's television programming


(a) Establishment

    The Commission shall, within 30 days after October 18, 1990, 
initiate a rulemaking proceeding to prescribe standards applicable to 
commercial television broadcast licensees with respect to the time 
devoted to commercial matter in conjunction with children's television 
programming. The Commission shall, within 180 days after October 18, 
1990, complete the rulemaking proceeding and prescribe final standards 
that meet the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Advertising duration limitations

    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, the standards 
prescribed under subsection (a) of this section shall include the 
requirement that each commercial television broadcast licensee shall 
limit the duration of advertising in children's television programming 
to not more than 10.5 minutes per hour on weekends and not more than 12 
minutes per hour on weekdays.

(c) Review of advertising duration limitations; modification

    After January 1, 1993, the Commission--
        (1) may review and evaluate the advertising duration limitations 
    required by subsection (b) of this section; and
        (2) may, after notice and public comment and a demonstration of 
    the need for modification of such limitations, modify such 
    limitations in accordance with the public interest.

(d) ``Commercial television broadcast licensee'' defined

    As used in this section, the term ``commercial television broadcast 
licensee'' includes a cable operator, as defined in section 522 of this 
title.

(Pub. L. 101-437, title I, Sec. 102, Oct. 18, 1990, 104 Stat. 996.)

                          Codification

    Section was enacted as part of the Children's Television Act of 
1990, and not as part of the Communications Act of 1934 which comprises 
this chapter.


                         Congressional Findings

    Section 101 of title I of Pub. L. 101-437 provided that: ``The 
Congress finds that--
        ``(1) it has been clearly demonstrated that television can 
    assist children to learn important information, skills, values, and 
    behavior, while entertaining them and exciting their curiosity to 
    learn about the world around them;
        ``(2) as part of their obligation to serve the public interest, 
    television station operators and licensees should provide 
    programming that serves the special needs of children;
        ``(3) the financial support of advertisers assists in the 
    provision of programming to children;
        ``(4) special safeguards are appropriate to protect children 
    from overcommercialization on television;
        ``(5) television station operators and licensees should follow 
    practices in connection with children's television programming and 
    advertising that take into consideration the characteristics of this 
    child audience; and
        ``(6) it is therefore necessary that the Federal Communications 
    Commission (hereinafter referred to as the `Commission') take the 
    actions required by this title [enacting sections 303a and 303b of 
    this title].''

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in section 303b of this title.
