That’s why accessibility advocates across Virginia, including HLAA members, pushed for a better solution: open-captioned film viewing requirements through the passage of HB 602. And their efforts have paid off. The bill was approved, and since July 1, 2026, Virginia requires movie theaters with five or more locations in the state to offer open screenings of widely released films, helping more people share the moviegoing experience with family and friends.
“My husband, Ken, has hearing loss,” says Claire Fornsel, associate vice president of the HLAA Virginia Beach Chapter. “In the past, he would go to see movies he couldn’t hear, just because he loved me. Now, with the passage of the Open Subtitles Legislation for movie theaters in Virginia, we can enjoy entertainment together.”
Open captions display important dialogue and audio cues directly on the movie screen, allowing all audience members to see them. Unlike closed captioning devices meant for individuals, they don’t require special equipment that can get lost, broken, or just plain awkward.
HB 602 also improves public awareness of when open-captioned screenings occur. Movie theaters must now clearly label these viewings with an “OC” label and provide information on how patrons can request open captions later during the movie’s showing.
All of these changes combine to enable people with hearing loss — or anyone else who enjoys open captioning — to make plans with the same confidence as everyone else. It replaces uncertainty with inclusion, dignity and equal access.
The legislation was championed by Delegate Phil Hernandez of the 94th District, who was contacted in August 2025 by an accessibility advocate inspired by successful open captioning policies in other states. Hernandez, whose sister is deaf, has embraced these efforts as part of his broader commitment to making Virginia accessible to everyone.
He sought support and guidance from Neil Snyder, director of public policy at HLAA, and accessibility-focused organizations such as Access Virginia and the Virginia Department of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (VDDHH). The bill was introduced in January 2026, quickly passed both chambers of the legislature and was signed into law on April 6, 2026 by Governor Abigail Spanberger.
This action benefited from grassroots advocacy by members of the HLAA Virginia Beach, Virginia Peninsula and Greater Richmond Chapters. Kenneth Reichert, president of the HLAA Virginia Beach Chapter and a 30-year U.S. Navy veteran with service-connected hearing loss, spoke publicly about the need for accessible film experiences at a town hall event held by Dale Hernandez. Other HLAA members across Virginia, including chapter leaders Angela Hale, Kathy Richter, Keith McAllister, Claire Forensel, Richard Wiltse, Bobby Graves, and Larry Herbert, reached out to state legislators urging support.
Their success demonstrates how local advocates can make real change when they collaborate with legislators and community organizations.
From left to right: Claire Fornsel, Associate Vice President, HLAA Virginia Beach Chapter; Thiago Campos, Access Virginia Board Member; Rep. Phil Hernandez; Jane Popkin, president of the Virginia Hearing Loss Support Network; Louis Boyle, executive director of Access Virginia; and Ken Reichert, president of the HLAA Virginia Beach Chapter, at a town hall event in Norfolk, Virginia.
The positive impacts of this new law will reach far beyond people with hearing loss. As Claire’s experience has shown, people who may not need open captions themselves can now share the experience with friends and loved ones who do.
“Imagine grandparents taking their grandchildren to see the latest Disney or Pixar movie,” says her husband, Ken Reichert. “In the past, hearing loss might have made going out frustrating or even impossible. And with open-captioned screenings, the whole family can enjoy the movie together without the need for specialized equipment.”
Additionally, watching movies and videos with captions can enhance literacy skills in school-age children whether they have hearing loss or not, by connecting spoken words to text in real time. (English language learners often use captions to enhance language comprehension.) Proponents also point out that many young viewers already prefer to watch content with captions turned on, regardless of hearing ability.
With this success, Virginia joins a growing movement that includes Hawaii, Maryland, Washington, D.C., New York City, and Washington State, all of which have adopted open captioning regulations. Each victory paves the way for other jurisdictions to follow.
For advocates across the country, these victories serve as a powerful reminder that meaningful change often begins when community members speak up and work together.
