HB 602: Motion picture theaters; definitions, establishes requirements for open captioning.

Official summary

Abstract published by the legislature (via Open States). Text as published by the legislature; reproduced verbatim.

Open captioning at motion picture theaters. Establishes requirements for open captioning for motion picture theaters. The bill requires all motion picture theater companies, excluding outdoor theaters such as drive-in theaters, that own, operate, control, or lease five or more locations in the Commonwealth and are open to the general public to provide open captioning on any film that has at least seven showings per operating week for a period greater than one operating week, provided that open captioning is available to the theater for such film as part of the digital cinema package. The bill specifies that (i) within the first two operating weeks following a film's release, a theater shall provide at least four open captioning viewings; (ii) at least one of such open captioning viewings shall start between (a) 5:59 p.m. and 11:01 p.m. on a Friday, (b) 10:59 a.m. and 11:01 p.m. on a Saturday or Sunday, or (c) 5:59 p.m. and 10:01 p.m. on a Monday through Thursday; and (iii) beginning in the third operating week following a film's release, a theater shall provide at least one open captioning viewing within 72 hours after receiving a request for such a viewing provided that no theater shall be obligated to provide open captioning viewing for any particular screening for which advance tickets have been sold prior to its receipt of such request. 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 advertise all other motion picture screenings and indicate which screenings shall include open captioning by utilizing the character symbol "OC" or such other language or symbols as may reasonably identify which screenings will include open captioning. 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. As introduced, the bill was a recommendation of the Disability Commission. This bill is identical to SB 722.

Sponsors

Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 34

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

1. April 6, 2026Acts of Assembly Chapter text (CHAP0184)
2. April 6, 2026Approved by Governor-Chapter 184 (effective 7/1/2026)
3. March 10, 2026Governor's Action Deadline 11:59 p.m., April 13, 2026
4. March 10, 2026Enrolled Bill communicated to Governor on March 10, 2026
5. March 6, 2026Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB602)
6. March 6, 2026Signed by President
7. March 6, 2026Signed by Speaker
8. March 6, 2026Bill text as passed House and Senate (HB602ER)
9. March 6, 2026Enrolled
10. March 2, 2026Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N 0-A)
11. February 27, 2026Passed by for the day
12. February 27, 2026Read third time

Showing 12 most recent of 33 actions. Full history