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This bill would require all television stations in
Missouri to provide real-time captioning of all local news, weather
and sports programming no later than January 1, 2006. Electronic
newsroom technology would not be sufficient to satisfy the
requirements of this bill. Stations would not be required to spend
more than two percent of their annual gross income to comply with
the captioning requirement. We will keep you posted regarding the
progress of the bill. A copy of the bill language is appended.
Section A. Chapter 209, RSMo, is amended by adding thereto one new
section, to be known as section 209.350, to read as follows:
209.350. To ensure effective communication of the content of all
local news, weather and sports broadcasts to deaf and
hearing-impaired Missourians, on or before January 1, 2006, all
television stations located in the state of Missouri shall provide
real-time captioning of all local news, weather and sports
programming. Because of its inability to provide maximum
information, the use of electronic newsroom technology shall not
satisfy the requirements of this section. Any television station
that would be required to expend more than two percent of its annual
gross income to comply with the
real-time captioning requirements shall not be subject to the
provisions of this section. |
