SB722
Motion picture heaters; establishes requirements for open captioning.
Status:
In Senate
Latest Action:
Jan. 30, 2026
Senate: Committee substitute printed 26106714D-S1
Chief Patron:
Angelia Williams Graves (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
- 01/14/2026 - Senate: Presented and ordered printed 26104982D
- 01/14/2026 - Senate: Referred to Committee on Education and Health
- 01/22/2026 - Senate: Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services (14-Y 0-N)
- 01/22/2026 - Senate: Rereferred to Rehabilitation and Social Services
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Senate committee offered
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 4-N)
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Rereferred to Finance and Appropriations
- 01/30/2026 - Senate: Committee substitute printed 26106714D-S1
