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HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE ACTIVATION OF

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CLOSED CAPTIONING IN PUBLIC VENUES

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2020 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Dan N. Johnson

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7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This House resolution urges the activation of closed captioning on television monitors
10     located in public venues.
11     Highlighted Provisions:
12          This resolution:
13          ▸     acknowledges the many individuals in the United States who are deaf or hard of
14     hearing;
15          ▸     recognizes the value of closed captioning in providing important news and
16     information to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing; and
17          ▸     urges the activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public
18     venues.
19     Special Clauses:
20          None
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22     Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
23          WHEREAS, in the interest of eliminating isolation and segregation and encouraging the
24     gathering and participation of all individuals, it is sound public policy to promote full and equal
25     communication access to all;
26          WHEREAS, televisions are increasingly used in venues open to the general public,
27     such as hospital waiting rooms, restaurants, small businesses, health clubs, social recreation

28     facilities, airport lounges, and more;
29          WHEREAS, hearing loss is a part of life for many individuals in the United States;
30          WHEREAS, a 2011 study by Johns Hopkins researchers estimated that approximately
31     one in five Americans 12 years or older have some type of hearing loss in one or both ears that
32     affects their ability to communicate and receive information;
33          WHEREAS, hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities in the United States;
34          WHEREAS, closed captioning displays the audio portion of a television program as
35     text on the television screen, providing access to news, entertainment, and information for
36     individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;
37          WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission requires video programming
38     shown on television and over the internet after being shown on television to be closed
39     captioned;
40          WHEREAS, all modern televisions are built to support closed captioning; and
41          WHEREAS, activating closed captioning on television monitors located in public
42     venues:
43          • promotes full communication access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
44          • improves comprehension for viewers who are learning English as a second language;
45          • provides access to news and information for everyone in a noisy environment;
46          • improves comprehension of on-screen dialogue that is spoken very quickly, mumbled,
47     or with accents, or when there is a lot of background noise; and
48          • assures full information is shared with all during times of emergencies:
49          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
50     state of Utah urges the activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public
51     venues during hours when the venue is open to the general public and the monitors are in use.