Bill Text: NJ AR210 | 2020-2021 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Urges activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public spaces.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 2-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2020-12-16 - Introduced, Referred to Assembly Housing Committee [AR210 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2020-AR210-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Assemblyman NICHOLAS CHIARAVALLOTI
District 31 (Hudson)
Assemblywoman VALERIE VAINIERI HUTTLE
District 37 (Bergen)
SYNOPSIS
Urges activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public spaces.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
An Assembly Resolution urging any entity that operates a television in a public space to display closed captioning on the television monitor.
Whereas, Hearing loss is a part of life for many Americans and affects people of all ages throughout the United States; and
Whereas, It currently ranks as one of the most common physical disabilities, behind only arthritis and heart disease, with one in eight people in the United States aged 12 years of age or older having some hearing loss in both ears; and
Whereas, A loss of hearing can affect an individual's ability to communicate and receive information, potentially leading to social isolation and withdrawal, as well as a delayed reaction during times of emergency; and
Whereas, These challenges tend to be amplified in public spaces, where levels of accessibility for those with hearing loss vary from space to space; and
Whereas, Televisions are increasingly used in spaces open to the general public, such as hospital waiting rooms, restaurants, businesses, health clubs, and airport lounges; and
Whereas, Closed captioning, as defined by the FCC, is the display of the audio portion of a television program as text on the television screen; and
Whereas, Closed captioning provides a critical link to news, entertainment, and information for individuals who are deaf or suffer from hearing loss; and
Whereas, All modern televisions built after 1993 support closed captioning capabilities; and
Whereas, Senate Bill No. 1489, which was previously introduced in February 2020, provides that televisions located in State buildings shall display closed captioning for all televised programming; and
Whereas, The activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public spaces would promote full communication and information access for individuals who are deaf or suffer from hearing loss, improve comprehension and access to news and information for all viewers in noisy public environments, and assure televised information is accessible to all individuals in the event of an emergency; and
Whereas,
In the interest of encouraging the gathering, participation, and education of
all individuals, it is sound public policy to promote full and equal
communication and information access for all; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:
1. This House urges any entity that operates a television in a public space to display closed captioning on the television monitor.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Clerk of the General Assembly to the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs, the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, the New Jersey Aviation Association, the New Jersey Restaurant and Hospitality Association, and the New Jersey Hospital Association.
STATEMENT
This resolution urges any entity that operates a television in a public space to display closed captioning on the television monitor to encourage the gathering, participation, and education of all individuals and to promote full and equal communication and information access for all.
Hearing loss is one of the most common physical disabilities in the United States, behind only arthritis and heart disease, with one in eight people in the United States aged 12 years of age or older having some hearing loss in both ears. Hearing loss can affect an individual's ability to communicate and receive information, potentially leading to social isolation and withdrawal.
Televisions are increasingly used in spaces open to the general public, such as hospital waiting rooms, restaurants, businesses, health clubs, and airport lounges. The Federal Communications Commission requires video programming shown on television and over the Internet after being shown on television to be closed captioned. Closed captioning displays the audio portion of a television program as text on the television screen, providing access to news, entertainment, and information for individuals who are deaf or suffering from hearing loss. All modern televisions are built to support closed captioning.
The activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public spaces would promote full communication and information access for individuals who are deaf or suffering from hearing loss, improve comprehension and access to news and information for all viewers in noisy public environments, and assure televised information is accessible to all individuals in the event of an emergency.
