This bill amends the Code of West Virginia by adding a new section, 47-11D-5, which mandates that exhibitors of motion pictures 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 produced with open captioning. Additionally, the bill stipulates that audio descriptions must be provided upon request for any motion picture that is produced with such descriptions.

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 theaters. 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 available in a significant number of showings.

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