
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: 47USC561]

 
          TITLE 47--TELEGRAPHS, TELEPHONES, AND RADIOTELEGRAPHS
 
                 CHAPTER 5--WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION
 
                  SUBCHAPTER V-A--CABLE COMMUNICATIONS
 
                    Part IV--Miscellaneous Provisions
 
Sec. 561. Scrambling of sexually explicit adult video service 
        programming
        

(a) Requirement

    In providing sexually explicit adult programming or other 
programming that is indecent on any channel of its service primarily 
dedicated to sexually-oriented programming, a multichannel video 
programming distributor shall fully scramble or otherwise fully block 
the video and audio portion of such channel so that one not a subscriber 
to such channel or programming does not receive it.

(b) Implementation

    Until a multichannel video programming distributor complies with the 
requirement set forth in subsection (a) of this section, the distributor 
shall limit the access of children to the programming referred to in 
that subsection by not providing such programming during the hours of 
the day (as determined by the Commission) when a significant number of 
children are likely to view it.

(c) ``Scramble'' defined

    As used in this section, the term ``scramble'' means to rearrange 
the content of the signal of the programming so that the programming 
cannot be viewed or heard in an understandable manner.

(June 19, 1934, ch. 652, title VI, Sec. 641, as added Pub. L. 104-104, 
title V, Sec. 505(a), Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 136.)


                             Effective Date

    Section 505(b) of Pub. L. 104-104 provided that: ``The amendment 
made by subsection (a) [enacting this section] shall take effect 30 days 
after the date of enactment of this Act [Feb. 8, 1996].''
