Bills to require open caption screenings at movie theaters pass out of General Assembly

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- Two bills passed out of the General Assembly on Monday that will require movie theaters to offer more open caption screenings.

HB602, introduced by Delegate Phil Hernandez (D-Norfolk), passed the Virginia Senate by a vote of 23-17 on Monday, March 3. Previously, identical legislation SB722, introduced by Senator Angelia Williams Graves (D-Norfolk), passed the House by a vote of 81-17 on Feb. 24.

Both bills establish requirements for movie theaters to provide screenings with open captions, also referred to as subtitles, for films with at least seven showings per week and during popular attendance times.

As required by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), movie theaters offer closed captioning devices, but dead and hard-of-hearing advocates have consistently reported issues due to technical malfunctions and language barriers, per a release.

The bills will now be sent to Gov. Abigail Spanberger for a signature and to be passed into law.

“As someone who grew up with a deaf sister, this legislation is personal for me," Hernandez said. "It’s a bill that’s motivated by the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities, but this legislation is a step toward inclusion and full participation in community life for seniors, people with auditory processing challenges, children learning to read, veterans who have hearing loss connected to their service, and many others. I’m thrilled that this bill now heads to Governor Spanberger’s desk."

Virginia will join several others, including Maryland, Washington D.C., Hawaii, Washington state and New York City in a guarantee of open captioning resources.

“SB722 is a simple but meaningful step toward equity,” Graves said. “For too long, members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community have faced unnecessary barriers to enjoying something as basic as a night at the movies. This legislation affirms that accessibility is not an accommodation of convenience, it is a right. I am proud to work alongside Delegate Hernandez to ensure Virginia continues moving toward spaces that are welcoming and inclusive for everyone.”