Rep. Norm Thurston — Voting Record

Bill

Number

H.R. 3 (2020GS)

Sponsor

Rep. Johnson, D.N.

Final action

House/ to Lieutenant Governor 3/23/2020

Outcome

House/ to Lieutenant Governor

Summary

Every vote on this bill

Bill text

HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING THE ACTIVATION OF
CLOSED CAPTIONING IN PUBLIC VENUES
GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Dan N. Johnson
LONG TITLE
General Description:
This House resolution urges the activation of closed captioning on television monitors
located in public venues.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
▸ acknowledges the many individuals in the United States who are deaf or hard of
hearing;
▸ recognizes the value of closed captioning in providing important news and
information to individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing; and
▸ urges the activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public
venues.
Special Clauses:
None
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, in the interest of eliminating isolation and segregation and encouraging the
gathering and participation of all individuals, it is sound public policy to promote full and equal
communication access to all;
WHEREAS, televisions are increasingly used in venues open to the general public,
such as hospital waiting rooms, restaurants, small businesses, health clubs, social recreation
facilities, airport lounges, and more;
WHEREAS, hearing loss is a part of life for many individuals in the United States;
WHEREAS, a 2011 study by Johns Hopkins researchers estimated that approximately
one in five Americans 12 years or older have some type of hearing loss in one or both ears that
affects their ability to communicate and receive information;
WHEREAS, hearing loss is one of the most common disabilities in the United States;
WHEREAS, closed captioning displays the audio portion of a television program as
text on the television screen, providing access to news, entertainment, and information for
individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing;
WHEREAS, the Federal Communications Commission requires video programming
shown on television and over the internet after being shown on television to be closed
captioned;
WHEREAS, all modern televisions are built to support closed captioning; and
WHEREAS, activating closed captioning on television monitors located in public
venues:
• promotes full communication access for people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
• improves comprehension for viewers who are learning English as a second language;
• provides access to news and information for everyone in a noisy environment;
• improves comprehension of on-screen dialogue that is spoken very quickly, mumbled,
or with accents, or when there is a lot of background noise; and
• assures full information is shared with all during times of emergencies:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the House of Representatives of the
state of Utah urges the activation of closed captioning on television monitors located in public
venues during hours when the venue is open to the general public and the monitors are in use.