Bill Sponsor
Virginia Senate Bill 722
Session 2026
Motion picture theaters; establishes requirements for open captioning.
Active
Active
Passed Senate on Feb 6, 2026
First Action
Jan 14, 2026
Latest Action
Feb 6, 2026
Origin Chamber
Senate
Type
Bill
Bill Number
722
State
Virginia
Session
2026
Sponsorship by Party
Summary
A BILL to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 51.5-44.01, relating to motion picture theaters; open captioning. Open captioning at motion picture theaters. Establishes requirements for open captioning for motion picture theaters. The bill requires all motion picture theater companies that have five or more screens and are open to the general public to provide (i) open caption viewing during four screenings in the first two weeks following a film's release and (ii) beginning in the third week following a film's release, at least one open caption viewing within 72 hours after receiving a request for such a viewing. Under the bill, all motion picture theater companies that own, operate, control or lease four or fewer locations and are open to the general public are required to provide at least one open caption viewing within eight calendar days after receiving a request for such a viewing or voluntarily comply with the standards set forth for motion picture theater companies that have five or more screens. Under the bill, motion picture theater companies are required to provide contact information on their websites for receiving and fulfilling requests for open captioning screenings and advertise the date and time of open captioning screenings in the same manner used to advertises all other motion picture screenings. The bill directs the Office of Civil Rights of the Attorney General of Virginia to establish a process for receiving consumer reports of suspected violations of the bill. The bill is a recommendation of the Disability Commission.
Documents (1)
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB722)
Actions (15)
02/06/2026
Senate
Read third time and passed Senate (27-Y 13-N 0-A)
02/06/2026
Senate
Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (SB722)
02/05/2026
Senate
Engrossed by Senate - committee substitute
02/05/2026
Senate
Rehabilitation and Social Services Substitute agreed to
02/05/2026
Senate
Read second time
02/04/2026
Senate
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)
02/04/2026
Senate
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 1st reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)
02/04/2026
Senate
Rules suspended
02/03/2026
Senate
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (10-Y 4-N)
01/30/2026
Senate
Committee substitute printed 26106714D-S1
01/30/2026
Senate
Reported from Rehabilitation and Social Services with substitute and rereferred to Finance and Appropriations (11-Y 4-N)
01/30/2026
Senate
Senate committee offered
01/22/2026
Senate
Rereferred from Education and Health to Rehabilitation and Social Services (14-Y 0-N)
01/14/2026
Senate
Referred to Committee on Education and Health
01/14/2026
Senate
Presented and ordered printed 26104982D
Sources
Record Created
Jan 20, 2026 9:58:13 PM
Record Updated
Feb 8, 2026 9:47:32 PM