West Virginia legislation · 2025 Regular Session
West Virginia HB3013: Relating to open captioning for motion pictures
Status: Passed one chamber, April 1, 2025
The purpose of this bill is to require exhibitors of motion pictures who operate two or more theatres in more than one location in this state to provide open captioning during at least two showings per week of each motion picture that is produced and offered with open captioning. The bill requires, when requested, audio description to be provided for any motion picture that is produced and offered with audio description.
What the bill says
To amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §47-11D-5, relating to requiring certain theatres to make showings of certain motion pictures accessible to persons with disabilities; requiring exhibitors of motion pictures who operate theatres in more than one location in this state to provide open captioning during at least two showings per week of each digital motion picture that is produced and offered with open captioning; requiring, when requested, audio description be provided for any digital motion picture that is produced and offered wit.
From the engrossed text, March 12, 2025:
A BILL to amend the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, by adding a new section, designated §47-11D-5, relating to requiring certain theatres to make showings of certain motion pictures accessible to persons with disabilities; requiring exhibitors of motion pictures who operate theatres in more than one location in this state to provide open captioning during at least two showings per week of each digital motion picture that is produced and offered with open captioning; requiring, when requested, audio description be provided for any digital motion picture that is produced and offered with audio description; requiring theatres to have at least two audio description devices; providing exceptions. ARTICLE 11D. THE MOTION PICTURE FAIR COMPETITION ACT. §47-11D-5. Open Captioning for Motion Pictures. (a) Exhibitors of digital motion pictures who operate theatres in more than one location in this state shall provide open captioning during at least two showings per week of each motion picture that is produced and offered with open captioning. (b) Upon request, audio description shall be provided for any digital motion picture that is produced and offered with audio description. Each theatre shall have at least two audio description devices. (c) Notwithstanding any section of this code to the contrary, no exhibitor may be required to purchase new equipment in order to comply with the requirements set …