House Passes Measure to Accommodate the Deaf and Blind in Movie Theatres

The state House of Representatives today passed on final reading HB1272, HD2, SD2, which requires anyone that operates a motion picture theater in more than two locations in the state to provide open captioning during at least two showings per week of each motion picture that is produced with open movie captioning. It also requires them to provide an audio description of any motion picture that is produced and offered with audio description. The measure takes effect January 1, 2016 and sunsets January 1, 2018.

This measure removes communication barriers and provide equal access to persons who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind or have poor vision through reasonable accommodations at movie theaters.

"This bill places Hawai‘i at the forefront in ensuring equal access to movie theaters for our deaf, blind, deaf/blind and hard-of-hearing communities" said the bill’s introducer Representative James Tokioka (Wailua Homesteads, Hanamaulu, Lihue, Puhi, Old Koloa Town, Omao).

"In addition, it will further open Hawaii's doors in achieving full inclusion for our deaf and blind communities that was first initiated with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990."

The measure was first introduced in the House and amended by the Senate. With the House today agreeing to the Senate’s changes, the bill now goes to the Governor, who has the option of signing the bill into law, vetoing the measure, or allowing it to become law without his signature.

Other measures passed by the House that move on to the Governor include:

HB253, HD2, SD1, authorizes pharmacists to administer vaccines to persons between 14 and 17 years who have a valid prescription from the patient's medical home.

HB279, HD2, SD1, allows the real estate commission to take disciplinary action if a real estate broker or salesperson for a seller or purchaser of real estate acts in a manner that prohibits a prospective purchaser or seller from being able to retain a real estate broker or salesperson. Effective 11/2/2015.

HB1099, HD2, SD2, authorizes the display of an outdoor advertising device at the Waipio peninsula soccer stadium, subject to appropriate approval, provided that the scoreboard faces the stadium interior and is not visible from any thoroughfare. Specifies placement and size limitations for the device.

HB1286 HD2, SD2, amends the state's objectives and policies relating to energy facility systems, including a policy of ensuring that liquefied natural gas be used only as a cost-effective transitional, limited-term replacement of petroleum for electricity generation and not impede the development and use of other cost-effective renewable energy sources.

HB1325, HD1, SD1, authorizes the counties to establish and charge user fees for stormwater management.

HB1410, HD1, SD1, changes statutory references to "Youth Conservation Corps" to the "Hawaii Youth Conservation Corps" to distinguish the state program from other federal and nationally affiliated youth conservation corps programs.

HB1412, HD2, SD1, makes permanent the Department of Education's authority to supervise its accounts. Makes required housekeeping amendments to statutory provisions relating to the department’s fiscal operations.