This is the update we thought we would NEVER write. After three tries, Maryland has succeeded in passing legislation for open captions!!!
Maryland has just made history. It is the first mainland state to get a law for open captions. The other places that already have laws are Hawaii (not mainland U.S.) and New York City.
How major an accomplishment is this? Consider that Colorado, DC, Nebraska, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and West Virginia have all tried to get legislation passed, some multiple times. And other states reportedly tried but could not get bills introduced.
What does this law do? This law will apply to theaters in Maryland with 8 or more screens. That means that theaters in Maryland with 7 or less screens do not have to provide open captions, but they can.
It also requires that in those theaters that the law does apply to, if a movie is shown at least five times a week, there must be two open caption screenings a week, for the first three weeks after a movie opens.
Plus, after those first three weeks, requests can be made for additional open caption screenings with adequate advance notice.
Will closed caption devices go away? No. Closed caption devices are already mandatory. That will not change. All this new law does is legally protect minimal open captioning in Maryland. So, people in Maryland who cannot use closed caption devices, or who otherwise need/want open captions, have that choice.
Why have a law for open captions if theaters in Maryland are already offering open captions? The law was needed because without legal protection, theaters that currently offer open captions in Maryland could cease offering open captions anytime. This law guarantees that those who want/need open captions do not have to worry about losing their access to open captions in Maryland.
How did Maryland do it? To begin with, Maryland had excellent leadership and organization. Maryland did it by asking for the bare minimum in the law, and by demonstrating through attendance data that open captions do not negatively impact movie theaters. Maryland did it by proving they had support throughout the entire state, even in the smallest counties. Maryland did it by frequently and clearly communicating with supporters on social media and via email blasts. Maryland did it by not giving up; it took three tries over three years before Maryland succeeded.
Three cheers and a HUGE hand wave for Maryland!
See this YouTube video (signed and captioned) for more!