WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SD 1636

An Act to require closed captioning in telecommunications in public areas

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Barrett and 3 co-sponsors

Requires closed captioning on CC-capable TVs in public areas upon request during regular hours; failing to do so is discrimination.

House concurred
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SD 1636

Summary: Senate Docket No. 1636 — An Act to require closed captioning in telecommunications in public areas

Overview

  • Purpose: Establish a legal requirement for closed captioning (CC) on television receivers in the public areas of places of public accommodation, to be activated upon request during regular public hours.
  • Status: House concurred (as of March 10, 2025). Referred to the committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities. Similar measure previously filed in 2023-2024 as Senate No. 63.
  • Introduced: March 10, 2025
  • Location in law: Adds Section 10 to Chapter 25C of the General Laws.

Key Provisions

  • Definitions (Section 10(a)):

    • “Closed captioning”: a transcript/dialog of the audio portion displayed on a television receiver when the CC feature is activated.
    • “Closed-captioning television receiver”: any TV or device capable of displaying closed captioning (e.g., television, digital set-top box, or other technology).
    • “Public area”: a portion of a place of public accommodation that is open to the general public.
    • “Regular hours”: hours during which the public accommodation is open to the general public.

  • Duty to provide CC (Section 10(b)):

    • Upon request, a place of public accommodation must not fail to keep closed captioning activated on any CC-capable TV receiver in use within a public area during regular hours.

  • Exemptions (Section 10(c)):

    • A place of public accommodation is not required to provide CC if: 1) no television receiver is available in the public area; or 2) the only public television receiver available is not CC-capable.

  • Enforcement (Section 10(d)):

    • Violations of the CC duty constitute discrimination as defined in section 98 of chapter 272.
    • The Massachusetts Commission on Discrimination (MCAD) has authority to handle matters related to alleged or actual violations.

Who Is Affected

  • Places of public accommodation (e.g., stores, restaurants, theaters, banks, government or civic facilities) with public areas where televisions are available to the public.
  • Patrons who request CC to access TV programming.
  • CC-capable television receivers and their operation in public areas.

Implementation and Timeline

  • The bill creates a new statutory requirement with no explicit phase-in or delayed effective date; obligations appear to apply during regular hours once the bill is enacted.
  • Enforcement would be handled by MCAD under existing discrimination provisions.

Practical Implications

  • Accessibility: Aims to improve access to televised information for individuals who rely on closed captioning (e.g., Deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons) in public spaces.
  • Compliance considerations: Businesses should assess in-public TV availability, ensure CC-capable receivers are present, train staff to activate and maintain CC upon request, and document compliance processes.
  • Exceptions: Businesses are not required to provide CC if no TV exists or if the existing TV is not CC-capable.

Context

  • References a previously filed similar measure (Senate No. 63, 2023-2024), indicating ongoing efforts to address CC accessibility in public spaces.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

Sign in to ask a question.