Maryland HB435 mandates open movie captioning in public areas of motion picture houses.

Maryland HB435 requires motion picture houses to provide open movie captioning for all screenings, ensuring accessibility for the general public. This law mandates that places of public accommodation offer fully operational and well-maintained closed movie captioning technology for each screening of a motion picture that is produced and available with closed movie captioning. The requirement applies to the first weeks after a motion picture premieres and to motion pictures screened at least five times from Friday through Thursday in a 7-day period. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.

Maryland HB435 mandates open movie captioning in public areas of motion picture houses.

Maryland HB435 requires motion picture houses to provide open movie captioning for all screenings, ensuring accessibility for the general public. This law mandates that places of public accommodation offer fully operational and well-maintained closed movie captioning technology for each screening of a motion picture that is produced and available with closed movie captioning. The requirement applies to the first weeks after a motion picture premieres and to motion pictures screened at least five times from Friday through Thursday in a 7-day period. The law takes effect October 1, 2026.