For millions of people living with hearing loss, a simple invitation to go see a movie at a local cinema does not always come with a straightforward answer. While a trip to the theater is traditionally viewed as a simple, universally enjoyable night out, the reality for individuals with hearing impairments is often filled with uncertainty. Questions frequently arise before purchasing a ticket: Will closed-captioning devices be available at the box office? Will those devices be fully charged and functioning properly throughout the runtime of the film? Too often, the frustrating answer has been no, turning what should be an entertaining leisure activity into a stressful and exclusionary experience.
That persistent uncertainty is precisely what motivated accessibility advocates across the Commonwealth of Virginia, including dedicated members of the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), to push for a comprehensive and permanent solution. Their tireless advocacy culminated in the introduction and ultimate passage of House Bill 602, a landmark piece of legislation that fundamentally changes the moviegoing experience across the state. Taking effect on July 1, 2026, the new law requires larger movie theater chains and establishments operating five or more locations within Virginia to offer open-captioned screenings for widely-released films. By mandating these screenings, the legislation ensures that a significantly larger segment of the population can share the communal magic of cinema alongside their family members, friends, and neighbors.
The impact of this legislative victory is deeply personal for families who have navigated the barriers of theater accessibility for years. Claire Fornsel, co-vice president of the HLAA Virginia Beach Chapter, understands these daily frustrations intimately through her marriage. Her husband, Ken, lives with hearing loss, a condition that previously turned trips to the local cineplex into exercises in compromise rather than relaxation. In the past, Ken would routinely accompany his wife to cinematic features he simply could not hear or understand, going along solely because he wanted to share the time together. Now, with the successful passage and implementation of Virginia’s open-captioning legislation, that dynamic has shifted entirely, allowing the couple to enjoy entertainment on equal footing.
Unlike the individual closed-captioning devices of the past—which often relied on specialized equipment that could easily be lost, broken, run out of battery power, or feel awkward and isolating to wear during a show—open captions present a seamless solution. Open captions display dialogue, character names, and vital sound cues directly onto the main movie screen itself, making them immediately visible to everyone sitting in the auditorium. This universal display removes technical hurdles and ensures that no single patron is singled out or encumbered by auxiliary hardware, restoring a sense of shared community to the theatrical environment.
Beyond mandating the screenings themselves, House Bill 602 takes critical steps to improve public awareness regarding when and where open-captioned viewings will take place. Under the new statutory requirements, commercial movie theaters are now obligated to clearly label these designated showtimes using a standardized "OC" designation in their public schedules and ticketing platforms. Furthermore, theaters must provide clear, accessible information detailing how patrons can request continued open-captioning support later in a film’s theatrical run, ensuring that popular movies remain accessible as their exhibition schedules evolve.
When taken together, these systemic changes empower individuals with hearing loss—as well as anyone else who simply prefers or benefits from open-captioning support—to make recreational plans with the exact same level of confidence as any other moviegoer. The legislation effectively replaces years of anxiety and uncertainty with inclusion, dignity, and true equal access, transforming a historically inaccessible public accommodation into a welcoming space for all members of the public.
The journey toward this legislative milestone was championed by Delegate Phil Hernandez of the 94th District. In August 2025, Delegate Hernandez was approached by a dedicated accessibility advocate who had been inspired by successful open-caption policies established in other states and jurisdictions. Hernandez, whose own sister is deaf, enthusiastically embraced the effort, viewing it as a natural extension of his broader political commitment to making the Commonwealth of Virginia more accessible, equitable, and inclusive for every resident.
To turn the idea into a viable legislative reality, Delegate Hernandez sought expert guidance and strategic support from Neil Snyder, the director of public policy for the Hearing Loss Association of America, alongside specialized advocacy organizations such as Access Virginia and the Virginia Department for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH). Armed with broad community backing and careful drafting, the bill was formally introduced at the start of the legislative session in January 2026. It moved swiftly through both legislative chambers, reflecting a rare and robust bipartisan consensus, before being officially signed into law on April 6, 2026, by Governor Abigail Spanberger.
The measure’s ultimate success was driven significantly by grassroots advocacy led by passionate members of the HLAA Virginia Beach, Virginia Peninsula, and Greater Richmond Chapters. Among them was Kenneth Reichert, president of the HLAA Virginia Beach Chapter. A 30-year veteran of the United States Navy who lives with service-connected hearing loss, Reichert spoke eloquently and publicly about the urgent necessity for universally accessible moviegoing experiences during a community town hall event hosted by Delegate Hernandez.
Reichert was far from alone in his efforts. A dedicated coalition of HLAA members spanning the Commonwealth—including chapter leaders Angela Hill, Kathy Richter, Keith McAllister, Claire Fornsel, Richard Wiltse, Bobby Graves, and Larry Herbert—waged an active campaign, reaching out directly to state lawmakers to educate them on the issue and urge them to cast a supportive vote. Their coordinated efforts serve as a clear demonstration of how informed local advocates can drive meaningful, systemic change when they choose to collaborate closely with dedicated public officials and community organizations.
The positive ripple effects of this new law are expected to reach far beyond the community of individuals with hearing loss. As Claire Fornsel and her husband Ken have frequently pointed out, audience members who do not personally require open captions stand to benefit immensely from the increased inclusivity, as they can now seamlessly share the complete cinematic experience with loved ones who do.
Ken Reichert offers a relatable picture of this shared benefit, noting how families experience outings differently under the new rules. He points to grandparents taking their grandchildren to see the latest animated blockbuster from Disney or Pixar as a prime example. In previous years, an older family member’s hearing loss might have turned that kind of family outing into a frustrating, isolating, or altogether impossible endeavor. With the widespread availability of open-captioned screenings, the entire family can sit together in the same row and enjoy the film collectively, entirely free from the complications and barriers of specialized assistive equipment.
Moreover, educational experts and advocates note that viewing movies and videos with on-screen captions offers powerful ancillary benefits, such as reinforcing literacy skills in school-age children regardless of their hearing status. By connecting spoken words with written text in real time, captions support reading comprehension and language acquisition. English-language learners also frequently utilize captions to strengthen their grasp of the language, while a growing demographic of younger viewers simply prefer watching visual media with captions enabled at all times, independent of their personal hearing capabilities.
With the enactment of House Bill 602, Virginia proudly joins a growing national movement dedicated to expanding public accessibility in entertainment venues. The Commonwealth now stands alongside pioneering states and regions that have already adopted similar open-captioning regulations, including Hawaii, Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Washington State. Each new regional victory helps pave the way, smoothing the path for additional jurisdictions across the country to follow suit and implement similar commonsense protections.
For accessibility advocates across the nation, these legislative wins serve as a powerful and enduring reminder that meaningful, lasting change rarely happens in a vacuum. Instead, it begins when ordinary community members find their voices, share their lived experiences, and work together in common cause with lawmakers to build a more inclusive society.
