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Committee advances closed‑captioning bill for televisions in public accommodations
Summary
House Bill 49 would require activation of closed captions on televisions that are turned on and operating in public accommodations, establish an Attorney General complaint process and civil penalties, and was advanced by the committee as amended (6‑2).
Representative Cynthia Borrego presented House Bill 49, the Closed Captioning Act, and the committee adopted two technical amendments before hearing testimony from disability advocates, public‑interest organizations and local officials.
“We really wanna thank the sponsor and express our deep appreciation for her thoughtful approach,” said Stephanie Maez of the Building and Construction Trades Council after the sponsor introduced the measure. Borrego described the bill as a requirement that “owners and managers of public accommodations activate closed captioning on all television receivers that are turned on and operating during regular hours,” with specific statutory exemptions and an enforcement role assigned to the Attorney General.
Witnesses who testified in favor included people with hearing loss, representatives of Disability Rights New Mexico and the Hearing Loss Association of America, the New Mexico School for the Deaf and AARP New Mexico. Testimony emphasized that closed captions are a low‑cost accessibility tool that supports public safety and equal access, and some witnesses said captioning also aids literacy and education for children. Witnesses noted the bill applies to television programming, not theatrical film showings, and that local ordinances in Albuquerque and Santa Fe already require similar accommodations.
The bill requires the Attorney General to establish a complaint process and provides for civil penalties; the chair noted the AG’s office has discussed a process that would likely include opportunities to comply before penalties are imposed. Committee members questioned enforcement logistics, the effect on small businesses and whether the measure duplicates federal law; proponents said the state and local measures provide clearer, enforceable standards for business owners and people with hearing loss.
On a do‑pass as amended motion, the committee advanced HB49 (final tally reported: 6 yes, 2 no). The sponsor and witnesses said they will work to refine definitions and enforcement details as the bill moves to the next committee.
