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Committee backs bill requiring closed captioning capability in public‑facing TVs
Summary
House Bill 49 would require accessible closed captioning capability on public‑facing televisions in businesses and public spaces; the Senate committee recommended the bill do pass by a 7–0 vote with 3 excused.
The Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee voted to advance House Bill 49, a measure to require that televisions in public areas of businesses and public institutions have closed captioning available. The committee recorded a do‑pass recommendation by voice/roll call reported as 7 in favor and 0 opposed, with 3 excused.
Representative Borrego presented the bill and brought witnesses including representatives of the Hearing Loss Association and the National Association of the Deaf. Witnesses said the technical capability to display captions is widely available on modern televisions and that enabling captioning in public settings improves access for people with hearing loss and benefits all patrons.
One witness explained technical feasibility to the committee: "Anything above 13 inches on a television would be capable of showing closed captioning," and testimony noted that since about 2014 televisions have supported Spanish captioning as well as English. AARP and disability advocates testified in support, noting captioning improves accessibility for older adults and people with hearing impairments.
Senators asked whether non‑English captioning should be required and how civil enforcement would work. The bill includes a private right of action and a civil penalty mechanism (committee discussion referenced a $1 civil penalty in the private right of action). Committee members said they would consider clarifying language or an amendment to address language availability; witnesses noted captioning technology already supports English and Spanish per FCC standards and that additional languages may be incorporated over time.
The committee voted to advance the measure; sponsors and witnesses said the requirement is straightforward for establishments and that signage or a simple on/off control would let staff and patrons enable captions when needed.
