Creates new GS 168-3.1 (Open movie captioning), which establishes definitions and requires open captioning for at least a quarter of all showings if a movie theater offers more than 10 showings each operating week. Specifies that no more than four open caption showings for a single movie are required in any operating week. Requires that at least half of the open caption showings occur during peak times. Mandates that a movie theater subject to the section must advertise the open caption showings in the same way as normal showings, and indicate which showing include open captioning, and maintain records showing compliance with the section for at least three years.
Provides an exception for movies that are distributed without open captions. Makes a violation of the statute subject to a civil penalty of not less than $100 or more than $500 for each occurrence.
Effective and applicable to movies showing on or after October 1, 2025.
OPEN MOVIE CAPTIONING IN MOVIE THEATERS.
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View NCGA Bill Details(link is external) | 2025-2026 Session |
AN ACT TO REQUIRE OPEN MOVIE CAPTIONING IN MOVIE THEATERS UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES.Intro. by Turner, Alston, Lopez, Crawford.
Status: Ref To Com On Rules, Calendar, and Operations of the House (House action) (Apr 3 2025)
Bill History:
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Tue, 1 Apr 2025 House: Filed(link is external)
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Thu, 3 Apr 2025 House: Passed 1st Reading(link is external)
H 677
Bill Summaries:
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Bill H 677 (2025-2026)Summary date: Apr 3 2025 - View Summary
View: All Summaries for Bill