Bill > S101

This bill requires places of public accommodation to provide closed captioning on television receivers in public areas during regular business hours when requested. Specifically, the bill defines key terms such as "closed captioning" (a transcript of audio dialogue displayed on a screen), "closed-captioning television receiver" (a device capable of showing captions), "public area" (a part of a place open to the general public), and "regular hours" (times when the establishment is open to the public). The legislation mandates that if a closed-captioning television receiver is in use during regular hours in a public area, it must have captions activated upon request. However, the requirement does not apply if no television is present or if the only television is not caption-capable. Violations of this requirement would be considered a form of discrimination, and the Massachusetts Commission on Discrimination would have the authority to investigate and address such violations. The bill aims to improve accessibility for individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or who benefit from visual text accompaniment to audio content in public spaces.

Health and Social Services

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/S101