Bill > A04628

This bill requires motion picture theaters that offer more than ten movie showings per week to provide open motion picture captioning (on-screen text displaying dialogue, character names, and sound effects) for at least one-quarter of all showings of a movie with four or more screenings in a week. The bill defines specific requirements for when these captioned showings must occur, primarily during peak attendance hours (Friday evening through Sunday evening), and mandates that theaters advertise these captioned showings alongside their regular screenings. Theaters must maintain documentation of their compliance for at least three years. The law includes exceptions for movies not produced with captioning and allows for flexibility in scheduling. Violations will result in civil penalties, with the first violation carrying a fine of up to $100 and subsequent violations up to $500. The bill also includes a provision that allows municipalities to adopt equal or more stringent captioning requirements, which would supersede this state-level regulation. The law will take effect 120 days after becoming law, giving theaters time to prepare for the new requirements.

Business and Industry, Housing and Urban Affairs

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A4628