This is our first open‑caption update of 2026. We have reports on three states: Virginia, Michigan, and New York. Virginia has passed a statewide open‑caption law. Michigan has introduced a bill that needs support. And New York has only weeks left to pass its bill before the session ends.
Virginia
Virginia passed a statewide open-caption law that takes effect July 1, 2026.
For theater chains with five or more locations:
- Applies to movies with 7+ screenings per week for more than one week.
- During the first two weeks of a qualifying movie’s release:
- At least four open caption screenings are required.
- At least one must be during prime time (evenings or weekends as defined in the law).
- After the first two weeks:
- Theaters must provide an open caption screening within 72 hours of a request.
- They do not have to caption screenings that already sold tickets before the request.
For theater companies with four or fewer locations:
- No regular weekly requirement.
- For movies with 7+ screenings per week, at least one open caption screening must be provided within eight days of a request.
- They also do not have to caption screenings that already sold tickets.
Enforcement will be handled by the Virginia Office of Civil Rights under the Office of the Attorney General.
Michigan
Michigan introduced SB 764 in January 2026. The bill is still in the Committee on Regulatory Affairs and has not moved since introduction.
As written, the bill would:
- Apply to theaters with 8+ screens
- Require two open caption screenings per week for the first three weeks of a movie’s release, if the movie has 5+ screenings per week
- Require open captions for the full run of movies scheduled for fewer than three weeks (as long as they have 5+ screenings per week)
- After three weeks, require at least one open caption screening plus open captions on request with reasonable notice
Michigan’s session runs until December 31, so there is still time for progress.
New York
New York has a new Senate bill, SB 9888, with a companion Assembly bill (A4628, introduced in 2025). The bill was delayed after the previous sponsor left office, and it was reintroduced very late in the session. As of now, New York has only weeks left to pass it.
HLAA has created an Action Alert for New Yorkers:
Shortcut: https://tinyurl.com/newyorkocnow
The bill is similar to the New York City law:
- Applies to theaters with more than 10 screenings per week
- If a movie has 4+ screenings per week, at least one-quarter must be open captioned
- No theater is required to provide more than four open caption screenings per week for any movie
- Includes minimum requirements for evening and prime-time accessibility
How to Help
New York (most urgent)
If the bill does not pass before the session ends, it will have to be reintroduced in 2027. New Yorkers can use the HLAA Action Alert to contact legislators and share the link with friends, family, and community groups.
Michigan
Michiganders can find their Senator at: https://senate.michigan.gov/senators/all-senators/
Enter your address or choose from the full list. Each Senator has a “Contact” link.
Virginia
Virginia’s law is already passed—now it needs awareness. Share the news with family and friends, local newspapers, TV stations, bloggers, YouTubers, and TikTok creators. The more Virginians who know about the new law, the more people that will attend open caption screenings when the law begins in July.