On February 11, 2022 a bill for open captions AND closed captions in public places and movie theaters, was introduced in the Maryland House: House Bill 1238. This bill is currently in the Maryland House Economic Matters Committee and has a hearing scheduled for March 9 at 1:00 PM.

The bill:

• Would require closed captioning for every screening
• Would require on-request closed captioning on TVs in places of public accommodation
• Would require theaters with at least two locations to provide open captions for every movie that comes with closed captions, at least
  • One screening during a weekday
  • One screening on the weekend

Update on Other Bills:

Earlier this month, the Virginia bill was tabled at a subcommittee hearing. West Virginia’s bill is still active.

How YOU can Help Maryland

How can you help get the Maryland bill passed? Share this update with people you know from Maryland and encourage them to sign and share this “Open Captions (Subtitles) Are Healthier for Everyone!” petition (change.org/ocmoviesnow). The Maryland open caption advocates need all the support they can get.