HB602
Motion picture theaters; establishes requirements for open captioning.
Status:
In House
Latest Action:
Jan. 30, 2026
House: Assigned sub: Health
Chief Patron:
Phil Hernandez (D)
Session:
2026 Regular Session
Summary
As Introduced. Open captioning at motion picture theaters.
Establishes requirements for open captioning for motion picture theaters. The bill requires all motion picture theater companies that have five or more screens and are open to the general public to provide (i) open caption viewing during four screenings in the first two weeks following a film's release and (ii) ... (More) beginning in the third week following a film's release, at least one open caption viewing within 72 hours after receiving a request for such a viewing. Under the bill, all motion picture theater companies that own, operate, control or lease four or fewer locations and are open to the general public are required to provide at least one open caption viewing within eight calendar days after receiving a request for such a viewing or voluntarily comply with the standards set forth for motion picture theater companies that have five or more screens. Under the bill, motion picture theater companies are required to provide contact information on their websites for receiving and fulfilling requests for open captioning screenings and advertise the date and time of open captioning screenings in the same manner used to advertises all other motion picture screenings. The bill directs the Office of Civil Rights of the Attorney General of Virginia to establish a process for receiving consumer reports of suspected violations of the bill. The bill is a recommendation of the Disability Commission. (Less)-
Bill History
- 01/13/2026 - House: Prefiled and ordered printed; Offered 01-14-2026 26104564D
- 01/13/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on General Laws
- 01/28/2026 - House: Placed on General Laws Agenda
- 01/29/2026 - House: Referred from General Laws and referred to Health and Human Services (Voice Vote)
- 01/29/2026 - House: Referred to Committee on Health and Human Services
- 01/30/2026 - House: Assigned sub: Health
