This bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 47-11D-5, which mandates that motion picture exhibitors operating six or more theaters in multiple locations within the state provide open captioning for at least two showings per week of each film that is available with such captioning. Additionally, the bill stipulates that audio descriptions must be provided upon request for any motion picture that is produced with audio description capabilities.

The legislation also includes provisions to protect exhibitors from being required to purchase new equipment if it would impose an undue burden or fundamentally alter their theater operations. Furthermore, the requirements outlined in this section do not apply to drive-in movie theaters. Overall, the bill aims to enhance accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments by ensuring that open captioning and audio descriptions are more widely available in West Virginia's motion picture theaters.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 47-11D-5