Recently, the Maryland and West Virginia open caption bills were reintroduced. 

MARYLAND

Maryland’s bill is HB 264/SB 400, and it has a hearing on February 8. Bill details are at https://legiscan.com/MD/bill/HB264/2023 and https://legiscan.com/MD/bill/SB400/2023 Key provision is that it would require theaters with at least two locations in Maryland to offer at least two open caption screenings a week.

WEST VIRGINIA

West Virginia’s bill is Senate Bill 169. Bill details are at https://legiscan.com/WV/bill/SB169/2023 It is similar to the Maryland bill in that it too would require theaters with at least two locations in West Virginia to offer at least two open caption screenings a week.

Videos about each bill:

1. West Virginia: https://www.facebook.com/john.w.burdette.5/videos/728337255468921?idorvanity=136005551663

2. Maryland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c2AcCndugzY

Let’s support West Virginia and Maryland! These are bare-bones, absolute-minimum bills that deserve to pass! Get everyone you know that supports open captions, to sign this petition if they haven’t already! More than ever before, every signature counts in showing legislators that there are people out there who want or need open captions!