MD HB435

Lowers the screen threshold from eight to four screens for motion picture houses required to provide open movie captioning in Maryland

Affected theaters must offer open captioning for at least two screenings per week of each motion picture during its first 3 weeks of release

After the initial 3-week premiere period, theaters with four or more screens may provide open captioning with reasonable notice

Requirements apply only to motion pictures produced and available with open captioning that are screened five or more times Friday through Thursday

Effective date: October 1, 2026