Motion picture theaters; definitions, establishes requirements for open captioning.
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “An Act to amend the Code of Virginia by adding a section numbered 51.5-44.01, relating to motion picture theaters; open captioning.” Read the full text
2026 session
What it does
Open captioning at motion picture theaters. Establishes requirements for open captioning for motion picture theaters. The bill requires all motion picture theater companies, excluding outdoor theaters such as drive-in theaters, that own, operate, control, or lease five or more locations in the Commonwealth and are open to the general public to provide open captioning on any film that has at least seven showings per operating week for a period greater than one operating week, provided that open c
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Introduced · Jan 13, 2026
Acts of Assembly Chapter 184 (latest official status)
Latest official status shown, exactly as the official record states it. The step by step history lives on the official page linked below.
The numbers
41
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
Phil M. HernandezMichael B. FeggansPatrick A. HopeAdele Y. McClureKathy K.L. Tran Jessica L. AndersonBonita G. AnthonyAlex Q. AskewKatrina CallsenKaren R. "Kacey" CarnegieBetsy B. CarrStacey Annie CarrollNadarius E. ClarkLaura Jane CohenNicole ColeRae CousinsLindsey DoughertyMark C. DowneyLily V. FranklinElizabeth R. GuzmanKaren Keys-GamarraPaul E. KrizekAmy J. LauferDestiny LeVere BollingMichelle Lopes MaldonadoMarty MartinezJohn Chilton McAuliffDelores L. McQuinnMarcia S. "Cia" PriceSam RasoulAtoosa R. ReaserHolly M. SeiboldBriana D. SewellIrene ShinJJ SinghRichard C. "Rip" Sullivan, Jr.Joshua E. ThomasVirgil ThorntonJeion A. WardVivian E. Watts
Recorded votes
Passed Senate (23-Y 17-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-03-02 · P · Y 23, N 17
Passed by for the day Block Vote (Voice Vote)Senate · 2026-02-26 · P · X 40
Constitutional reading dispensed Block Vote (on 2nd reading) (40-Y 0-N 0-A)Senate · 2026-02-26 · P · Y 40
Reported from Finance and Appropriations (9-Y 4-N)Senate · 2026-02-25 · P · Y 9, N 4, X 2
Read third time and passed House (79-Y 17-N 0-A)House of Delegates · 2026-02-17 · P · Y 79, N 17, X 4
Reported from Health and Human Services with substitute (19-Y 1-N 1-A)House of Delegates · 2026-02-12 · P · Y 19, A 1, N 1, X 1
Subcommittee recommends reporting with substitute (10-Y 0-N)House of Delegates · 2026-02-10 · P · Y 10
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the Virginia legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Acts of Assembly Chapter 184.