u/CaptionAction3

On July 1, a new law went into effect (that hasn't been reported in the media): a law that requires all Virginia theaters with five or more locations to offer limited on-screen subtitles, or open captions. This is in addition to the ADA-mandated closed caption devices. Now all Virginia AMCS, Regals, Cinemarks, and Alamo Drafthouses must have regular limited open caption screenings. Many were already offering this voluntarily before the law was passed. The new law means that several more had to begin offering open captions.

In addition, theaters with fewer than five locations must make an open caption screening available within eight days of receiving a request. This makes it possible for people in Virginia living in less populated areas, who need or want open captions, to submit a request to their local theater asking for an open caption screening of a new popular movie.

(Who can benefit from open captions besides deaf and hard of hearing? autism, adhd, aphasia, auditory processing disorder, noise sensitive, ESL, down syndrome, dyslexia, veterans, seniors, kids learning to read, tbi, people challenged by accents/whispering)

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Hearing loss is said to be the #1 service-connected disability. Therefore, it is logical that some veterans in Virginia will benefit from the new law in Virginia that went into effect on July 1, for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in movie theaters. This new law requires all Virginia theaters with five or more locations - meaning AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse - in Virginia to have limited regular open caption screenings. Theaters with less than five locations have to offer an open caption screening within eight days of a request.

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Some people with dyslexia benefit from captions. In Virginia, a new law went into effect on July 1 that mandates theaters with five or more locations to offer limited open caption (on-screen subtitles) screenings. Theaters with fewer than five have to make an open caption screening available within eight days of receiving a request. (Other places with similar laws are Hawaii, NYC, DC, MD, and WA). So now people in Virginia with dyslexia have two legally required options for captions in movie theaters: ADA-mandated closed captioning devices and open captions.

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Since hearing loss or auditory issues are common with down syndrome, sharing this information: On July 1, a new law started in Virginia for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in movie theaters. Theaters with five or more locations must offer limited, regular open caption screenings. Theaters with less than five must offer an open caption screening within eight days of getting a request.

(other places with similar laws: Hawaii, NYC, DC, MD, and WA)

Edit: we hope a reporter will see this and decide this new law is worth writing about. There has been no media coverage.

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On July 1, a new law in Virginia for open captions (on-screen subtitles) went into effect. This law requires all theaters in Virginia with five or more locations (i.e., AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse) to offer limited regular open caption screenings. Theaters with less than five locations in Virginia have to offer an open caption screening within eight days of receiving a request. Since many people with noise sensitivity benefit from open captions this means that Virginia residents who are noise sensitive who need or want captions now have two legally protected options for seeing movies in a theater: the open captions, or using closed captioning devices.

https://preview.redd.it/3mu9d51kv7bh1.png?width=720&format=png&auto=webp&s=eab47dc3b69dd0cd80c087519aae919fcaa0d490

On July 1, Virginia's new law for open captions (on-screen subtitles) went into effect. The law requires all Virginia theaters with five or more locations (meaning AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse) to offer limited regular open caption screenings. Now hard of hearing people in Virginia have two options for seeing movies at those theaters: the ADA-mandated closed caption devices or open captions. Plus, theaters with less than five locations have to offer an open caption screening within eight days of receiving a request.

Edit: we hope a reporter will see this and decide this new law is worth writing about. There has been no media coverage.

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Posting this just in case there is anyone in Virginia's deaf community that is unaware - on July 1, Virginia's new open caption law took effect. Now all Virginia theaters with five or more locations must have regular open caption screenings. If there are less than five locations, they have to offer an open caption screening within eight days of getting a request.

So if you live in Virginia, check your local AMC, Regal, Cinemark, or Alamo Drafthouse - they will have open caption screenings regularly from now on.

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On July 1, a new law took effect in Virginia that requires theaters with five or more locations in Virginia (AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo Drafthouse) to offer limited regular open caption screenings. In addition, theaters in Virginia that do not have five or more locations are required to offer an open caption screening within eight days of receiving a request. Many studies have been done demonstrating the benefits of captions for people learning English as a second language.

(Virginia is the fourth state to have such a law passed. The other states/cities with open caption laws are Hawaii, NYC, DC, MD, and WA)

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On July 1, a new law took effect in Virginia requiring movie theaters that have five or more locations in Virginia to offer regular, limited on-screen captions. (Those with less than five have to offer an open caption screening within eight days of receiving a request.) Virginia is now the fourth state to have this kind of law (the other states and cities are Hawaii, NYC, DC, MD, and WA). This new law means that Virginians with auditory processing disorder now have a choice between using closed caption devices or seeking out the required open caption screenings. Under the law, ALL Virginia AMC, Regal, Cinemark, and Alamo theaters must have regular open caption screenings, and many did even before the law was passed.

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On July 1, Virginia's new open caption (on-screen subtitles) law took effect. Under this law, all Virginia theaters with five or more locations in Virginia must offer regular, limited open caption screenings. This means all Virginia AMCs, Regals, Cinemarks, and Alamos. All others (except drive-ins) must offer an open caption screening within eight days of receiving a request for one.

Open captions benefit people with autism due to either auditory processing challenges or sensitivity to noise.

Other states/cities with existing open caption laws are Hawaii, NYC, DC, MD, and WA. Virginia is the fourth state to pass such a law.

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Yesterday (July 1) a new law took effect for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in Virginia movie theaters. This new law requires theaters with 5 or more locations in state to have regular open captions. So now every Alamo Drafthouse theater in Virginia is offering limited regular open caption screenings. Most if not all, Alamo Drafthouse theaters in Virginia already offered this even before this law was passed.

(Can have only one flair so we used General because there's no statewide flair)

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Yesterday (July 1) a new law took effect for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in Virginia movie theaters. This new law requires theaters with 5 or more locations in state to have regular open captions. So now every Cinemark theater in Virginia is offering limited regular open caption screenings. Some Cinemarks in Virginia already offered this even before this law was passed.

https://preview.redd.it/651uv7qzvvah1.png?width=757&format=png&auto=webp&s=6422d515fac263e89d66f6e3febf84a54dcdc52a

Yesterday (July 1) a new law took effect for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in Virginia movie theaters. This new law requires theaters with 5 or more locations in state to have regular open captions. So now every Regal theater in Virginia is offering limited regular open caption screenings.

https://preview.redd.it/99004g9gvvah1.png?width=757&format=png&auto=webp&s=91af7cc34fb7f2bb7af23bde199be515a0b81bca

Yesterday (July 1) a new law took effect for open captions (on-screen subtitles) in Virginia movie theaters. This new law requires theaters with 5 or more locations in state to have regular open captions. So now every AMC theater in Virginia is offering limited regular open caption screenings. These screenings can be found via the "Premium Offerings" dropdown on AMC theater showtime listings.

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New York’s legislative session ends on June 4, and the statewide open captions bill SB 9888 remains pending. If it does not pass before adjournment, the bill expires for the year. The proposal would require larger theaters to offer a small number of open caption screenings, improving on‑screen access for Deaf, hard of hearing, and other caption‑using audiences.

Within a reasonable drive of Albany, several multiplexes with eight or more screens still offer no open caption showings. These include:

Capital Region / Mohawk Valley
• Johnstown Movieplex 9 (Johnstown)
• NCG Kingston 12 (Kingston)
• Wilton Mall Cinemas & The Big Scene 8 (Saratoga Springs)
• AMC Saratoga Springs 11 (Saratoga Springs)

North Country (southern edge, still drivable)
• Cumberland 12 (Plattsburgh) — longer drive, but still within Upstate region
• Massena Movieplex 8 (Massena) — farthest, but included for regional completeness

With the session ending June 4, this is typically the period when legislators hear the most from constituents about bills still on the calendar. If any theaters on this list have closed or now offer regular open caption screenings, noting it in the comments will help keep the information accurate.

New York’s legislative session ends on June 4, and the statewide open captions bill SB 9888 remains pending. If it does not pass before adjournment, the bill expires for the year. The proposal would require larger theaters to offer a small number of open caption screenings, improving on‑screen access for Deaf, hard of hearing, and other caption‑using audiences.

Across Upstate New York, several multiplexes with eight or more screens still offer no open caption showings. These include:

Capital Region / Mohawk Valley

• AMC Saratoga Springs 11 (Saratoga Springs)

• Johnstown Movieplex 9 (Johnstown)

• NCG Kingston 12 (Kingston)

• Wilton Mall Cinemas & The Big Scene 8 (Saratoga Springs)

Finger Lakes / Central NY

• Auburn Movieplex 10 (Auburn)

• Oneida Movieplex Cinema 9 (Oneida)

• RTM Canandaigua Theaters 10 (Canandaigua)

• Southside Mall Cinemas 9 (Oneonta)

North Country

• Cumberland 12 (Plattsburgh)

• Massena Movieplex 8 (Massena)

Southern Tier

• AMC Vestal Town Square 9 (Vestal)

Western NY

• AMC Allegany 8 (Allegany)

• Dipson Capitol Theatre 12 (Niagara Falls)

• Dipson Flix Stadium 10 (Lancaster)

• Dipson Lakewood Cinema 8 (Lakewood)

• Dunkirk Multiplex 8 (Dunkirk)

With the session ending June 4, this is typically the period when legislators hear the most from constituents about bills still on the calendar. If any theaters on this list have closed or now offer regular open caption screenings, noting it in the comments will help keep the information accurate.

New York’s legislative session ends on June 4, and the statewide open‑caption bill (S.9888) is still pending. If it does not pass before adjournment, the bill will expire for the year. Under the proposal, theaters that show more than ten movies per week would be required to schedule a portion of their showings with open captions, ensuring on‑screen access for Deaf, hard‑of‑hearing, and other caption‑using audiences.

Despite this, several large multiplexes across New York State still offer no open caption screenings at all. The list below highlights theaters with eight or more screens that currently provide zero open‑caption showings—illustrating the accessibility gap the bill is intended to address.

If any theaters on this list do offer regular open caption screenings, noting it in the comments will help keep the information accurate.

NEW YORK THEATERS NOT OFFERING OPEN CAPTIONS

1. Allegany: AMC Allegany 8
2. Auburn: Auburn Movieplex 10
3. Canandaigua: RTM Canandaigua Theaters 10
4. Dobbs Ferry: Look Dine In Cinema 8
5. Dunkirk: Dunkirk Multiplex 8
6. East Northport: AMC Dine-in Huntington Square 12
7. Farmingdale: Showcase Cinemas de lux Farmingdale 14
8. Garden City: AMC Roosevelt Field 8
9. Holtsville: Showcase Cinemas Island de Lux 16
10. Huntington: AMC Shore 8
11. Johnstown: Johnstown Movieplex 9
12. Kingston: NCG Cinema Kingston 12
13. Lakewood: Dipson Theatres Lakewood Cinema 8
14. Lancaster: Dispon Theatres Flix Stadium 10
15. Levittown: AMC Dine-in Levittown 10
16. Lynbrook: Regal Lynbrook 13
17. Mamaroneck: Mamaroneck Cinemas 8
18. Massena: J.S. Cinemas Massena Movieplex 8
19. Niagara Falls: Dipson Theatres Capitol Theatre 12
20. Oneida: Zurich Cinemas Oneida Movieplex Cinema 9
21. Oneonta: Zurich Cinemas Southside Mall Cinemas 9
22. Plattsburgh: Cumberland 12
23. Saratoga Springs: Scene One/BTM Wilton Mall Cinemas & The Big Scene 8
24. Saratoga Springs: AMC Saratoga Springs 11
25. Seaford: Seaford Cinemas 8
26. Vestal: AMC Vestal Town Square 9
27. Yonkers: Showcase Cinemas Cinema de Lux Cross County 10
28. Yonkers: Showcase Cinemas de lux Ridge Hill 12

New York’s legislative session ends on June 4, and the statewide open caption bill SB 9888 is still pending. If it doesn’t pass before adjournment, the bill expires for the year. The proposal would require larger theaters to offer a small number of open caption screenings, ensuring on‑screen access for Deaf, hard‑of‑hearing, and other caption‑using audiences.

While Rochester itself already has strong caption access, several nearby Western and Central NY theaters within roughly an hour of Rochester still offer zero open caption showings. These include:

• RTM Canandaigua Theaters 10 (Canandaigua)
• Auburn Movieplex 10 (Auburn)
• Dipson Flix Stadium 10 (Lancaster)
• Dipson Capitol Theatre 12 (Niagara Falls)
• Dunkirk Multiplex 8 (Dunkirk)

This highlights a regional accessibility gap that the bill is intended to address. With the session ending June 4, this is usually when legislators hear the most from constituents — including those in the Rochester area — about bills still on the calendar.