99TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2015 and 2016
HB5033

 

Introduced , by Rep. David Harris

 

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:
 
New Act

    Creates the Digital Theater Closed Captioning Device Act. Provides that movie theaters that are equipped with digital projection capabilities must provide a minimum number of closed captioning devices for use by patrons. Effective January 1, 2017.


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A BILL FOR

 

HB5033LRB099 19340 JLS 43732 b

1    AN ACT concerning business.
 
2    Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois,
3represented in the General Assembly:
 
4    Section 1. Short title. This Act may be cited as the
5Digital Theater Closed Captioning Device Act.
 
6    Section 5. Purpose and scope.
7    (a) It is the purpose of this Act to improve accessibility
8to entertainment venues for persons with a hearing disability.
9    (b) This Act applies only to movie theaters that are
10equipped with digital projection devices.
 
11    Section 10. Closed captioning devices required.
12    (a) A theater equipped with digital projection devices must
13install, operate, and maintain closed captioned devices in the
14theater as follows:
15        (1) A theater that has 16 or more screens must have 15
16    closed captioning devices.
17        (2) A theater that has at least 7, but fewer than 16,
18    screens must have 10 closed captioning devices.
19        (3) A theater that has at least 2, but fewer than 7,
20    screens must have 5 closed captioning devices.
21        (4) A theater that has one screen must have 3 closed
22    captioning devices.

 

 

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1    (b) If the theater's seats are equipped with cup holders,
250% of the closed captioning devices must be cup holder style
3devices.
 
4    Section 15. Staff training; notice.
5    (a) The theater's employees must be trained in the use of
6the closed captioning devices and be able to assist patrons in
7the use of the devices.
8    (b) The theater must post a conspicuous public notice near
9the theater entrance informing patrons of the availability of
10the closed captioning devices.
 
11    Section 99. Effective date. This Act takes effect January
121, 2017.