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Bill

HB 602

Motion picture theaters; definitions, establishes requirements for open captioning.

2026 Regular Session Introduced by Bonita Anthony and 34 co-sponsors

Virginia bill requires movie theaters to provide open captioning showings, expanding entertainment access for deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons while raising compliance cost concerns for theater operators.

Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0184)
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Bill Summary · HB 602

Legislative bill overview

HB 602 establishes requirements for motion picture theaters in Virginia to provide open captioning for films. The bill mandates that theaters make captioned showings available to patrons, though specific implementation details (frequency, formats, financial thresholds) are not detailed in the action summary provided.

Why is this important

Approximately 48 million Americans are deaf or hard of hearing, and many rely on captions to access entertainment. Open captioning requirements ensure equitable access to movie theaters, removing barriers that currently force deaf and hard-of-hearing patrons to choose between missing showings or using less reliable accommodation methods.

Potential points of contention

  • Theater compliance costs: Smaller independent theaters may face significant expenses to install and maintain captioning technology, potentially creating burden disparities across chain versus independent venues
  • Showtime impact: Requiring captioned screenings for popular films could reduce available showtimes for non-captioned versions, affecting general audience scheduling
  • Implementation scope: Ambiguity about which theaters are covered (by size/chain status), how many showings must be captioned, and whether exceptions exist for limited-release films could lead to inconsistent enforcement

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

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