Proposed Ordinance - 12/20/20221
SALT LAKE CITY ORDINANCE
No. of 2023
(Activation of Closed Captioning on Televisions in Public Areas)
An ordinance enacting chapter 10.08 of the Salt Lake City Code requiring activation of
closed captioning on televisions located in public areas.
WHEREAS, the City Council of Salt Lake City (the “Council”) desires to
promote the full and equal access to all citizens and visitors alike in the interest of
eliminating isolation and segregation and encouraging that gathering and participation of
all persons;
WHEREAS, the 2000 United States Census found over 19% of the population has
disabilities and 17% of those individuals have a sensory disability;
WHEREAS, the provision of closed captioning of television monitors in public
areas of congregation, including, small businesses, social recreations facilities, and other
buildings generally accessible to the public promotes full communication access for
people who are deaf or hard of hearing;
WHEREAS, the provision of closed captioning of television monitors in public
areas of congregation, including, small businesses, social recreations facilities, and other
buildings generally accessible to the public also assists many non-native English
speakers; and
WHEREAS, the provision of closed captioning on television monitors in public
areas of congregation, including small businesses, social recreation facilities, and other
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buildings generally accessible to the public can be provided easily and at little or no cost
to the owner or occupant of such buildings;
NOW, THEREFORE, be it ordained by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah:
SECTION 1. That Chapter 10.08 of the Salt Lake City Code shall be, and hereby
is, enacted to read as follows.
Chapter 10.08
CLOSED CAPTIONING IN PLACES OF PUBLIC CONGREGATION
10.08.010 - TITLE.
10.08.020 – INTENT AND PURPOSE.
10.08.030 - DEFINITIONS.
10.08.040 – ACTIVATION OF CLOSED CAPTIONING.
10.08.050 – ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
10.08.010 - TITLE.
This chapter shall be known as the "Closed Captioning Ordinance" of Salt Lake City.
10.08.020 – INTENT AND PURPOSE.
Hearing loss has been identified as a significant problem affecting many residents and
visitors to Salt Lake City. Requiring activation of closed captioning on compatible
television receivers while in use in places of public congregation improves the health,
safety, and welfare of the city by increasing available channels of communication to
persons who are deaf or hard of hearing.
10.08.030 - DEFINITIONS.
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the
meanings described in this section:
(1) Closed captioning means a transcript or dialog of the audio portion of a
television program that is displayed on a portion of a television receiver screen
when the user activates the feature.
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(2) Closed-captioned television receiver means a receiver of television
programming that has the ability to display closed captioning, including but not
limited to a television, digital set top box, and other technology capable of
displaying closed captioning for television programming.
(3) Place of public congregation means a business, an educational institution, or
a refreshment, entertainment, recreation, health, or transportation facility of any
kind, whether licensed or not, whose goods, services, facilities, privileges,
advantages, or accommodations are extended, offered, sold, or otherwise made
available to the public.
(4) Responsible person means an owner, employee, manager, or agent with the
authority to control a closed-captioned television receiver in a place of public
congregation.
10.08.040 – ACTIVATION OF CLOSED CAPTIONING.
(1) A responsible person must activate, and leave activated, closed captioning
on any closed-captioned television receiver while the closed-captioned
television receiver is in use in any part of the place of public congregation that
is open to the general public.
(2) A responsible person is not required to:
(a) Turn on a closed-captioned television receiver that is off;
(b) Provide a closed-captioned television receiver in the place of public
congregation; or
(c) Upgrade or replace a receiver of television programming that is
incapable of displaying closed captioning.
10.08.050 – ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
(1). A peace officer or other city enforcement official may issue civil notices of
violation to responsible persons who violate the provisions of this chapter.
Notices of violation shall be adjudicated as civil violations in accordance with the
procedures set forth in title 2, chapter 2.75 of this Code.
(2). The following penalties shall be imposed where a notice of violation is
issued for a violation of this chapter:
(a). Where a notice of violation has been issued for a first violation of this
chapter, such notice of violation shall constitute a written warning.
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(b) Where a notice of violation has been issued for a second violation of
this chapter, the recipient of such notice of violation shall pay a civil
penalty of fifty dollars ($50.00).
(c). Where a notice of violation has been issued for a third violation of
this chapter, the recipient of such notice of violation shall pay a civil
penalty of one hundred dollars ($100.00).
(d). Where a notice of violation has been issued for a fourth or subsequent
violation of this chapter, the recipient of such notice of violation shall pay
a civil penalty of two hundred dollars ($200.00).
(e). Any reference to second, third, fourth, and subsequent violations
refers to repeat violations of the same section of City code chapter 10.08
that occur within a twenty-four (24) month period.
SECTION 2. That this ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
publication.
Passed by the City Council of Salt Lake City, Utah this day of
2023.
CHAIRPERSON
ATTEST:
CITY RECORDER
Transmitted to Mayor on .
Mayor’s Action: Approved. Vetoed.
MAYOR
CITY RECORDER
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(SEAL)
Bill No. of 2023.
Published:
APPROVED AS TO FORM
Date: December 14, 2022
By:
Jaysen Oldroyd, Senior City Attorney