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Bill

S 3237

Provides televisions in State buildings shall display closed captioning for programming.

2026-2027 Regular Session Introduced by Jim Beach and 6 co-sponsors

New Jersey mandates televisions in state buildings must display closed captioning for all programming to ensure accessibility for deaf and hard-of-hearing residents.

Passed Assembly (Passed Both Houses) (79-0-0)
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Bill Summary · S 3237

Legislative bill overview

S 3237 requires that televisions installed in New Jersey state buildings must display closed captioning for any programming shown. This is a straightforward accessibility mandate that applies to public-facing displays in government facilities.

Why is this important

Closed captioning ensures that deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals can access information and programming displayed in state buildings, promoting equal access to government services and public spaces. The requirement also benefits non-native English speakers, people in noisy environments, and others who rely on text-based content.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs: State agencies may face expenses purchasing or upgrading TV systems and equipment to support captioning functionality
  • Technical feasibility: Not all programming sources may reliably provide closed captioning, creating compliance challenges for certain broadcast or streamed content
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill's definition of "state buildings" and which types of programming qualify (emergency alerts, background music, lobbies, etc.) could generate disputes over applicability

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

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