Relating to closed captioning in places of public accommodation, and providing for civil penalties

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedFebruary 9, 2026
Done: SubcommitteeFebruary 12, 2026
Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
Next: Passes the Senate
Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill requires all public accommodations that provide television programming and online broadcasts for viewing by members of the public to enable closed captioning on devices viewable by the public during business hours unless a member of the public asks that closed captioning be disabled on a specific device, in which case closed captioning shall be enabled again when the member of the public who made the request discontinues viewing or leaves the public accommodation. A person who fails to comply with the bill is subject to a civil penalty of $25 for each violation. Civil penalties collected under the bill are deposited in the general fund of the state.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named February 12, 2026. It hasn’t reported yet.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§216.7A

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works