This is the update we thought we would NEVER, EVER write. After four tries, Washington, DC has succeeded in passing legislation for open captions!!! The DC bill passed unanimously on May 7, 2024. 

DC is now the second city to get a law for open captions. Move over, New York City! 

What does this law do? B25-0151 - Open Movie Captioning Requirement Act of 2023, will:

• require 2-3 open caption screenings a week
• at least 1 open caption screening must be during peak weekend hours (unless there are no other screenings during those hours)
• apply to theaters with more than 2 screens
• during first 2 weeks of a movie’s release, 3 or more open caption screenings
  after first 2 weeks, at least 2 open caption screenings a week

Exemptions include:

• When a movie has less than 7 screenings in a week
• Smaller theaters (2 or less screens) will need to provide an open caption screening within a reasonable time frame

An interesting thing about the new DC law is that violations will not result in financial penalties; instead, the penalty for violations will be having to offer more open caption screenings!

How did Washington, DC do it? They did it by repeatedly re-introducing the bill and working on building support from members of the DC Council.

Four cheers and a HUGE hand wave for Washington, DC!

Link with more details: https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/B25-0151