H-3522.1 _______________________________________________
HOUSE BILL 2744
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State of Washington 53rd Legislature 1994 Regular Session
By Representatives Jacobsen, Dellwo, Wineberry, Pruitt and Anderson
Read first time 01/21/94. Referred to Committee on Commerce & Labor.
AN ACT Relating to closed-captioning video movies for the deaf and hard of hearing; adding a new chapter to Title 19 RCW; and providing an effective date.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that: Closed-caption for the deaf and hard of hearing decoding capability technology is built into television sets manufactured after 1993; closed-captioned television has made it possible for thousands of deaf and hard of hearing people to gain access to and use the television medium, thus significantly improving the quality of their lives; closed-captioning television can assist both hearing and hearing impaired children with reading and learning skills, and improve literacy skills among adults; and closed-captioned television can assist those among our immigrant population who are learning English as a second language with language comprehension.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. A video movie, documentary, course, product, or merchandise that has been reproduced in a video storage medium format for distribution, sale, rent, loan, or lease for educational, instructional, commercial, informational, promotional, or entertainment purposes must be closed-captioned for the deaf and hard of hearing.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 3. Sections 1 and 2 of this act shall constitute a new chapter in Title 19 RCW.
NEW SECTION. Sec. 4. This act shall take effect December 31, 1995.
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