[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 4322 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
S. 4322
To update the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
of 2010.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
April 16 (legislative day, April 14), 2026
Mr. Markey (for himself and Mr. Lujan) introduced the following bill;
which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce,
Science, and Transportation
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To update the 21st Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act
of 2010.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.
(a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Communications,
Video, and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026''.
(b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as
follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
TITLE I--CLOSED CAPTIONING AND AUDIO DESCRIPTION
Sec. 101. Definitions.
Sec. 102. Closed captioning.
Sec. 103. Audio description.
Sec. 104. Technical and conforming amendments relating to economic
burden.
Sec. 105. Sign language in video programming.
Sec. 106. Closed Captioning, Audio Description, and Sign Language
Advisory Committee.
Sec. 107. Inquiries and reports to Congress.
TITLE II--VIDEO PLAYBACK APPARATUSES
Sec. 201. Video playback apparatuses.
TITLE III--COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
Sec. 301. Video conferencing.
Sec. 302. Relay services.
Sec. 303. National DeafBlind equipment distribution program.
TITLE IV--CUSTOMER SERVICE
Sec. 401. Usability of advanced communication and video programming
services.
TITLE V--EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
Sec. 501. Emerging technology.
TITLE VI--ENFORCEMENT AND REPORTING
Sec. 601. Accessibility enforcement.
Sec. 602. Accessibility complaint reporting.
TITLE I--CLOSED CAPTIONING AND AUDIO DESCRIPTION
SEC. 101. DEFINITIONS.
(a) Video Programming Accessibility Definitions.--Section 713 of
the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613) is amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (h) as subsection (a);
(2) by moving subsection (a), as so redesignated, so that
it appears immediately before subsection (b); and
(3) in subsection (a), as so redesignated--
(A) in paragraph (1)--
(i) by striking ``television program's key
visual elements'' and inserting ``the key
visual elements of a video program or consumer
generated media''; and
(ii) by striking ``the program's dialogue''
and inserting ``the dialogue of the program or
media'';
(B) by striking paragraph (2); and
(C) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Live programming.--The term `live programming' has
the meaning given the term in section 79.1 of title 47, Code of
Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(3) Near-live programming.--The term `near-live
programming' has the meaning given the term in section 79.1 of
title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
``(4) Online video programming.--The term `online video
programming' means video programming delivered using internet
protocol or any successor protocol.
``(5) Prerecorded programming.--The term `prerecorded
programming' has the meaning given the term in section 79.1 of
title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
``(6) Video programming.--The term `video programming'--
``(A) means programming by, or generally considered
comparable to programming provided by, a television
broadcast station or nonbroadcast network, including
programming delivered using internet protocol or any
successor protocol;
``(B) includes--
``(i) programming provided on demand at the
request of a viewer; and
``(ii) programming streamed live or at a
prescribed time or times to all or a subset of
viewers; and
``(C) does not include consumer generated media.''.
(b) Disability.--In this Act, the term ``disability'' has the
meaning given the term in section 3 of the Americans with Disabilities
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 12102).
SEC. 102. CLOSED CAPTIONING.
Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsections (d) through (g) as
subsections (e) through (h), respectively;
(2) in subsection (c)--
(A) in the heading, by striking ``Deadlines'' and
inserting ``Requirements'';
(B) in paragraph (1), in the heading, by striking
``In general'' and inserting ``Deadlines for television
programming captions''; and
(C) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and
inserting the following:
``(2) Closed captioning regulations for online video
programming and consumer generated media.--
``(A) Closed captioning regulations for new online
video programming.--Not later than 12 months after the
date of submission of the recommendations to the
Commission under section 106(d)(1) of the
Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act
of 2026, the Commission shall revise its regulations,
taking into account those recommendations, to require
all online video programming that is first made
available on or after the effective date of the revised
regulations to be fully accessible through the
provision, receipt, and display of closed captioning,
except as provided in subsection (e).
``(B) Schedule.--The regulations revised under
subparagraph (A) shall include an appropriate schedule
of deadlines, the earliest of which shall be not less
than 2 years after the effective date of the revised
regulations and the latest of which shall be not more
than 6 years after that effective date, for the
provision, receipt, and display of closed captioning on
online video programming that is first made available
on or after the effective date of the revised
regulations.
``(C) Requirements for regulations.--The
regulations revised under subparagraph (A)--
``(i) shall ensure that English-language
and Spanish-language online video programming
that is first made available on or after the
effective date of the revised regulations is
fully accessible through the provision,
receipt, and display of closed captions in the
original language of the audio track of the
programming;
``(ii) shall define the categories of
entities involved in the delivery of online
video programming and apportion the
responsibilities for the provision, quality,
pass-through, and rendering of closed captions
among such entities to ensure that closed
caption data--
``(I) remains with the video
programming to which the data is added;
and
``(II) is distributed in common
formats so that closed captions can be
exhibited intact by all other entities
that subsequently make the programming
available to viewers;
``(iii) may not distinguish between full-
length programming and video clips; and
``(iv) for the purposes of determining
closed captioning obligations under this
section and assessing compliance with
regulations of the Commission governing the
quality of closed captioning, including under
section 79.1 of title 47, Code of Federal
Regulations, shall treat any video programming
that was live programming or near-live
programming at the time that it was initially
made available to viewers as prerecorded
programming if it is again made available to
viewers more than 48 hours after its initial
availability.
``(D) Closed captioning regulations for older
online video programming and on consumer generated
media.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 12 months
after the date of submission of the
recommendations to the Commission under section
106(d)(1) of the Communications, Video, and
Technology Accessibility Act of 2026, the
Commission shall prescribe regulations, taking
into account those recommendations, to
maximize, through the provision, receipt, and
performance of closed captioning, the
accessibility of--
``(I) online video programming that
was first made available before the
effective date of the revised
regulations under subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph; and
``(II) consumer generated media.
``(ii) Requirement for consumer generated
media.--In prescribing regulations for consumer
generated media under clause (i)(II), the
Commission shall require that an entity engaged
in making available consumer generated media,
whether or not the entity is also engaged in
making available video that is not consumer
generated media, provides--
``(I) authoring tools that permit
users who post videos on the entity's
platform to add closed captions;
``(II) timely and effective notice,
at or before the time of upload, to
users who post videos on the entity's
platform that such authoring tools are
available for videos; and
``(III) guidance on how to use such
authoring tools.
``(E) Relation to previous requirements.--The
regulations revised or prescribed under subparagraphs
(A) and (D) may not impair or preclude the
applicability of, compliance with, or the enforcement
of the requirements under this section or the
regulations prescribed thereunder that were in effect
on the day before the date of enactment of the
Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act
of 2026, including the requirement to provide closed
captioning on video programming that is published or
exhibited on television and subsequently delivered
using internet protocol or any successor protocol.'';
(3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
``(d) Caption Quality Updates.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date of
submission of the recommendations to the Commission under
section 106(d)(1) of the Communications, Video, and Technology
Accessibility Act of 2026, the Commission shall prescribe
regulations, taking into account those recommendations, that
extend the requirements for the quality of closed captions
under section 79.1 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or
any successor regulations, to all online video programming and
consumer generated media for which closed captioning is
required to be provided under subsection (c) or the regulations
prescribed thereunder.
``(2) Regular updates.--Not later than 4 years after the
date of enactment of the Communications, Video, and Technology
Accessibility Act of 2026, and every 4 years thereafter, the
Commission shall--
``(A) review its regulations and associated
deadlines pertaining to the quality of closed captions;
and
``(B) as necessary, update the regulations and
associated deadlines described in subparagraph (A) to
reflect technological and methodological advances.'';
and
(4) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
(A) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by
striking ``subsection (b)'' and inserting ``subsections
(b) and (c)''; and
(B) in paragraph (1), by striking ``provider or
owner of such programming'' and inserting ``entity
responsible for publishing, exhibiting, or making
available such programming.''.
SEC. 103. AUDIO DESCRIPTION.
(a) In General.--Subsection (g) of section 713 of the
Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613), as redesignated by section
102, is amended--
(1) in the heading, by striking ``Video'' and inserting
``Audio''; and
(2) by striking paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) and inserting
the following:
``(2) Audio description regulations for programming
published or exhibited on television.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 12 months after
the date of submission of the recommendations to the
Commission under section 106(d)(1) of the
Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act
of 2026, the Commission shall revise its regulations,
taking into account those recommendations, to require
all video programming first published or exhibited on
television on or after the effective date of the
revised regulations to be fully accessible through the
provisions, receipt, and performance of audio
description.
``(B) Requirements.--The regulations revised under
subparagraph (A)--
``(i) shall ensure that all English-
language and Spanish-language video programming
first published or exhibited on television on
or after the effective date of the revised
regulations, is fully accessible through the
provision, receipt, and performance of audio
description in the original language of the
audio track of the programming in all
designated market areas, except as provided in
paragraph (5);
``(ii) shall include an appropriate
schedule of deadlines, the earliest of which
shall be not less than 2 years after the
effective date of the revised regulations and
the latest of which shall be not more than 6
years after that effective date, for the
provision, receipt, and performance of audio
described programming first published or
exhibited on television on or after that
effective date;
``(iii) shall provide that audio described
programming first published or exhibited on
television on or after the effective date of
the revised regulations shall be labeled and
searchable or otherwise easily discoverable
through navigation devices, apparatuses,
applications, and other methods by which the
programming is published or exhibited;
``(iv) shall provide that to the extent
there is an audio channel or audio track
dedicated solely to making audio description
available, video programming first published or
exhibited on television on or after the
effective date of the revised regulations with
audio description shall be made available to
the public on such channel or track, so long as
it is achievable (as defined in section
716(g)); and
``(v) shall require any entity involved in
the publishing or exhibiting of audio described
programming on television that is first
published or exhibited on or after the
effective date of the revised regulations to
provide contact information, consistent with
section 79.1(i) of title 47, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation, for
consumers to report problems related to audio
description.
``(3) Audio description regulations for online video
programming and consumer generated media.--
``(A) Audio description regulations for new online
video programming.--Not later than 18 months after the
date of submission of the recommendations to the
Commission under section 106(d)(1) of the
Communications, Video, and Technology Accessibility Act
of 2026, the Commission shall revise its regulations,
taking into account those recommendations, to require
all online video programming that is first made
available on or after the effective date of the revised
regulations to be fully accessible through the
provision, receipt, and performance of audio
description.
``(B) Schedule.--The regulations revised under
subparagraph (A) shall include an appropriate schedule
of deadlines, the earliest of which shall be not less
than 2 years after the effective date of the revised
regulations and the latest of which shall be not more
than 6 years after that effective date, for the
provision, receipt, and performance of audio
description on online video programming that is first
made available on or after that effective date.
``(C) Requirements for regulations.--The
regulations revised under subparagraph (A) shall--
``(i) ensure that all English-language and
Spanish-language online video programming that
is first made available on or after the
effective date of the revised regulations is
fully accessible through the provision,
receipt, and performance of audio description
in the original language of the audio track of
the programming;
``(ii) define the categories of entities
engaged in making available online video
programming and apportion the responsibilities
for the provision, quality, pass-through, and
rendering of audio description among such
entities to ensure that audio description
data--
``(I) remains with the video
programming to which the data is added;
and
``(II) is distributed in common
formats so that audio description can
be exhibited intact by all other
entities that subsequently make the
programming available to viewers;
``(iii) require, to the extent that an
entity makes available to the public guides or
listings of its online video programming, that
the entity include information about the
availability of audio description in those
guides or listings to enable that programming
to be searchable or easily discoverable through
navigation devices, apparatuses, applications,
and other methods on which the programming is
made available;
``(iv) shall provide that to the extent
there is an audio channel or audio track
dedicated solely to making audio description
available, online video programming shall be
provided on such channel or track, unless that
is not achievable (as defined in section
716(g)); and
``(v) require entities engaged in making
available audio described online video
programming to provide contact information,
consistent with section 79.4(c)(2)(iii) of
title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation, for end users to report
problems related to audio description.
``(D) Audio description regulations for older
online video programming and on consumer generated
media.--
``(i) In general.--Not later than 18 months
after the date of submission of the
recommendations to the Commission under section
106(d)(1) of the Communications, Video, and
Technology Accessibility Act of 2026, the
Commission shall prescribe regulations, taking
into account those recommendations, to
maximize, through the provision, receipt, and
performance of audio description, the
accessibility of--
``(I) online video programming that
is first made available before the
effective date of the revised
regulations under subparagraph (A) of
this paragraph; and
``(II) consumer generated media.
``(ii) Requirement for consumer generated
media.--In prescribing regulations for consumer
generated media under clause (i)(II), the
Commission shall require that an entity engaged
in making available consumer generated media,
whether or not the entity is also engaged in
making available video that is not consumer
generated media, provides--
``(I) authoring tools that permit
users who post videos on the entity's
platform to add closed captions;
``(II) timely and effective notice,
at or before the time of upload, to
users who post videos on the entity's
platform that such authoring tools are
available for videos; and
``(III) guidance on how to use such
authoring tools.
``(4) Audio description quality.--
``(A) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the
date of enactment of the Communications, Video, and
Technology Accessibility Act of 2026, the Commission
shall prescribe regulations to ensure the technical
quality of audio description on video programming,
including online video programming, and consumer
generated media as necessary to afford access to video
programming and consumer generated media that is
functionally equivalent to the access provided by the
visual components of the programming or media.
``(B) Requirements.--The regulations prescribed
under subparagraph (A) shall require that audio
description--
``(i) effectively convey key visual
elements of the program or media;
``(ii) when utilizing text-to-speech
synthetic voices, effectively convey the visual
content and vocal nuance of the program or
media in a manner that is functionally
equivalent to the ability of human voicing to
convey the visual content and vocal nuance;
``(iii) be edited, encoded, and delivered
to the public in a manner that ensures
consistency with the editing, encoding, and
delivery of the non-description audio track of
the programming or media; and
``(iv) to the extent practicable, be
provided for open subtitles in the same
language as the audio or in other languages if
the subtitles convey information relevant to
the program or media that is not conveyed in
the audio of the program or media.
``(C) Compliance and enforcement.--For the purposes
of achieving compliance with and enforcement of the
requirements of this paragraph and the regulations
prescribed thereunder, the Commission shall prescribe
regulations that include the compliance and enforcement
procedures under section 79.1(g)(9) of title 47, Code
of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(5) Audio description exemptions.--Notwithstanding
paragraphs (2) and (3)--
``(A) the Commission may exempt by regulation from
the requirements under paragraphs (2) and (3) programs
or media, classes of programs or media, or services for
which the Commission has determined that the provision
of audio description would be economically burdensome
to an entity responsible for publishing, exhibiting, or
making available such programming or media; and
``(B) an entity responsible for publishing,
exhibiting, or making available video programming or
consumer generated media may petition the Commission
for an exemption from the requirements under paragraphs
(2) and (3), and the Commission may grant the exemption
upon a showing that the requirement to include audio
description would be economically burdensome.''.
(b) Technical and Conforming Amendments.--The Communications Act of
1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in title III (47 U.S.C. 301 et seq.)--
(A) in section 303(u) (47 U.S.C. 303(u))--
(i) in paragraph (1)(B)--
(I) by striking ``video
description'' and inserting ``audio
description''; and
(II) by striking ``section 713(f)''
and inserting ``section 713(g)''; and
(ii) by moving the left margin of that
subsection and each paragraph, subparagraph,
and clause therein 2 ems to the left; and
(B) in section 330(b) (47 U.S.C. 330(b)), by
striking ``video description'' each place the term
appears and inserting ``audio description''; and
(2) in section 713 (47 U.S.C. 613), in subsection (a)(1),
as redesignated by section 101--
(A) in the paragraph heading, by striking ``Video
description'' and inserting ``Audio description''; and
(B) by striking ``video description'' and inserting
``audio description''.
SEC. 104. TECHNICAL AND CONFORMING AMENDMENTS RELATING TO ECONOMIC
BURDEN.
Subsection (f) of section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 613), as redesignated by section 102, is amended to read as
follows:
``(f) Economically Burdensome.--For purposes of this section, the
term `economically burdensome' means resulting in significant
difficulty or expense. In determining whether the closed captions or
audio description necessary to comply with the requirements of this
section would be economically burdensome, the factors to be considered
include--
``(1) the nature and cost of the closed captions or audio
description for the programming;
``(2) the impact on the operation of the provider or
program owner;
``(3) the financial resources of the provider or program
owner; and
``(4) the type of operations of the provider or program
owner.''.
SEC. 105. SIGN LANGUAGE IN VIDEO PROGRAMMING.
Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613) is
amended by inserting before subsection (j) the following:
``(i) Sign Language Interpretation of Video Programming.--
``(1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of
submission of the recommendations to the Commission under
section 106(d)(2) of the Communications, Video, and Technology
Accessibility Act of 2026, the Commission shall prescribe
regulations, taking into account those recommendations, to
require, in the case of video programming first published or
exhibited on television or first delivered using internet
protocol or any successor protocol on or after the effective
date of the regulations that includes the provision of sign
language, that the entity providing the programming ensure that
the sign language presentation is visible on the viewer's
screen throughout the programming pursuant to standards
established by the Commission.
``(2) Compliance and enforcement.--For the purposes of
achieving compliance with and enforcement of the requirements
of this subsection and the regulations prescribed thereunder,
the Commission shall prescribe regulations that include the
compliance and enforcement procedures under section 79.1(g)(9)
of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.''.
SEC. 106. CLOSED CAPTIONING, AUDIO DESCRIPTION, AND SIGN LANGUAGE
ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Definitions.--
(1) In general.--In this section:
(A) Advisory committee.--The term ``Advisory
Committee'' means the Closed Captioning, Audio
Description, and Sign Language Advisory Committee
established under subsection (b).
(B) Chair.--The term ``Chair'' means the Chairman
of the Commission.
(C) Commission.--The term ``Commission'' means the
Federal Communications Commission.
(D) Consumer generated media.--The term ``consumer
generated media'' has the meaning given the term in
section 3 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C.
153).
(2) Terms defined in section 713 of the communications act
of 1934.--In this section, the terms ``audio description'',
``live programming'', ``near-live programming'', ``online video
programming'', ``prerecorded programming'', and ``video
programming'' have the meanings given those terms in section
713 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613), as
amended by this title.
(b) Establishment.--Not later than 60 days after the date of
enactment of this Act, the Chair shall establish an advisory committee
to be known as the ``Closed Captioning, Audio Description, and Sign
Language Advisory Committee''.
(c) Membership.--The Chair shall appoint individuals who have the
technical knowledge and engineering expertise to serve on the Advisory
Committee in the fulfillment of its duties, including the following:
(1) Individual representatives, or representatives of
national organizations, including broadcasters and multichannel
video programming distributors (as defined in section 602 of
the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 522)), engaged in
making available video programming, including online video
programming.
(2) Individual representatives, or representatives of
national organizations, of vendors, developers, and
manufacturers of systems, facilities, information technology
equipment, and consumer electronics for the provision of video
programming, including online video programming.
(3) Individuals with expertise generating consumer
generated media.
(4) Representatives of national organizations representing
individuals with disabilities and older Americans.
(5) Representatives of service agencies engaged in the
provision of captioning and audio description for video
programming, including online video programming.
(6) Academic experts or representatives of research
institutes with expertise on closed captioning and audio
description.
(7) Individuals with expertise that can contribute to
standards for the display of sign language interpretation on
video programming.
(8) Other individuals with technical and engineering
expertise, as the Chair determines appropriate.
(d) Development of Recommendations.--
(1) Closed captioning and audio description
recommendations.--Not later than 180 days after the date of
establishment of the Advisory Committee under subsection (b),
the Advisory Committee shall develop and submit to the
Commission recommendations that include the following:
(A) A recommended schedule of deadlines for the
provision of closed captioning and audio description on
online video programming.
(B) Identification of, and recommendations for, the
protocols and technical capabilities, standards, and
procedures needed to enable responsible entities to
reliably provide, receive, and display closed captions
and audio description of online video programming.
(C) A recommendation for any regulations that may
be necessary to ensure compatibility between online
video programming and apparatuses and navigation
devices capable of receiving and displaying such
programming in order to facilitate access to closed
captions and audio description.
(D) Identification of the categories of entities
involved in the delivery of online video programming,
along with a recommendation on how to apportion the
responsibilities for the provision, quality, pass-
through, and display of closed captions and the
provision, quality, pass-through, and performance of
audio description among those entities to ensure full
access by viewers.
(E) A recommendation for defining metrics and
thresholds to be used for measuring--
(i) the accuracy, synchronicity,
completeness, and placement of closed captions
for live programming as necessary to afford
access to video programming that is
functionally equivalent to the access provided
by the audio track, with minimum thresholds
that are neutral to different modalities for
creating closed captions; and
(ii) the quality of audio description as
necessary to afford access to video programming
that is functionally equivalent to the access
provided visually with minimum thresholds that
are neutral to different modalities for
creating audio description.
(F) A recommendation for the achievability of
making audio description available on a dedicated audio
channel.
(G) A recommendation for standards, protocols, and
procedures to ensure that audio described video
programming is labeled and searchable or otherwise
easily discoverable through navigation devices,
apparatuses, applications, and other methods on which
such programming is published, exhibited, or made
available.
(H) A recommendation for best practices for
ensuring that closed captions and audio description on
programming that was live programming or near-live
programming at the time that it was initially made
available to viewers are subsequently made available at
the level of quality required for prerecorded
programming.
(I) Identification of attributes of easy-to-use
authoring tools that permit users who post videos on a
platform to add closed captions and audio description
to online video programming.
(J) Recommendations for applying the closed
captioning and audio description obligations under
section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 613), as amended by this title, to consumer
generated media, including--
(i) thresholds and measures used to
determine the extent to which the obligations,
including obligations for providing closed
captioning and audio description on video
clips, should apply to consumer generated
media, for which the Advisory Committee may
consider--
(I) the volume of postings;
(II) the size of viewership;
(III) whether the obligation is
economically burdensome (as defined in
section 713(f) of the Communications
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613(f)), as
amended by this title); and
(IV) other measures as necessary to
ensure expanded access for individuals
with disabilities;
(ii) deadlines for bringing consumer
generated media into compliance with the
obligations; and
(iii) reasonable timeframes for providers
of consumer generated media to respond to
consumer complaints and concerns relating to
closed captioning and audio description on
consumer generated media.
(K) Recommendations for applying the closed
captioning and audio description obligations under
section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 613), as amended by this title, to online video
programming that was first made available before the
effective date of the applicable regulations revised
under that section, pursuant to this title, including--
(i) deadlines for bringing such programming
into compliance with the closed captioning and
audio description obligations, for which the
Advisory Committee may consider--
(I) the volume of programming;
(II) the size of viewership;
(III) whether the obligation is
economically burdensome (as defined in
section 713(f) of the Communications
Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613(f)), as
amended by this title); and
(IV) other measures as necessary to
ensure expanded access for individuals
with disabilities;
(ii) the intervals at which determinations
under clause (i) should be reviewed and
updated; and
(iii) reasonable timeframes for providers
of such programming to respond to consumer
complaints and concerns relating to closed
captioning and audio description on such
programing.
(2) Sign language video programming report.--Not later than
6 months after the date of establishment of the Advisory
Committee, the Advisory Committee shall develop and submit to
the Commission recommendations for standards to ensure that
where sign language is provided on video programming, it is
visible on the viewer's screen throughout the programming.
(e) Meetings.--
(1) Initial meeting.--The initial meeting of the Advisory
Committee shall take place not later than 45 days after the
date on which the Chair has appointed all the members of the
Advisory Committee under subsection (c).
(2) Other meetings.--After the initial meeting, the
Advisory Committee shall meet at the call of the Chair.
(3) Notice; open meetings.--Any meeting held by the
Advisory Committee shall be noticed not later than 14 days
before the meeting and shall be open to the public.
(f) Procedural Rules.--
(1) Quorum.--The presence of one-third of the members of
the Advisory Committee shall constitute a quorum for conducting
the business of the Advisory Committee.
(2) Subcommittees.--To assist the Advisory Committee in
carrying out its functions, the Chair may establish appropriate
subcommittees composed of members of the Advisory Committee and
other subject matter experts.
(3) Additional procedural rules.--The Advisory Committee
may adopt other procedural rules as needed.
(g) Inapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee Act.--Chapter 10
of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Advisory
Committee.
SEC. 107. INQUIRIES AND REPORTS TO CONGRESS.
Section 713 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 613) is
amended by adding at the end the following:
``(k) Inquiries and Reports to Congress.--
``(1) Inquiries and reports on further video programming
accessibility requirements.--
``(A) Closed captioning.--Not later than 4 years
after the effective date of the regulations prescribed
under subsection (c)(2)(D) of this section to
implement, as appropriate, the recommendations
described in subparagraphs (J) and (K) of section
106(d)(1) of the Communications, Video, and Technology
Accessibility Act of 2026, the Commission shall
commence inquiries on, and not later than 1 year
thereafter, the Commission shall submit to Congress a
report on, each of the matters described in paragraph
(2) of this subsection.
``(B) Audio description.--Not later than 4 years
after the effective date of the regulations prescribed
under subsection (g)(3)(D) of this section to
implement, as appropriate, the recommendations
described in subparagraphs (J) and (K) of section
106(d)(1) of the Communications, Video, and Technology
Accessibility Act of 2026, the Commission shall
commence inquiries on, and not later than 1 year
thereafter, the Commission shall submit to Congress a
report on, each of the matters described in paragraph
(2) of this subsection.
``(2) Content of inquiries and reports.--The matters
described in this paragraph are the following:
``(A) The availability, use, and benefits of
providing closed captioning or audio description (as
applicable) on consumer generated media.
``(B) The availability, use, and benefits of
providing closed captioning or audio description (as
applicable) on online video programming that was first
made available before the effective date of the revised
regulations under subsection (c)(2)(A) or (g)(3)(A),
respectively.
``(C) The technical and operational issues and
costs of providing closed captioning or audio
description (as applicable) on--
``(i) consumer generated media; and
``(ii) video programming described in
subparagraph (B).
``(D) The extent to which the measures, thresholds,
scope, intervals, and associated deadlines used by the
Commission to determine the closed captioning or audio
description (as applicable) obligations for consumer
generated media and video programming described in
subparagraph (B) have been effective in providing video
programming access to individuals with disabilities.
``(3) Continuing commission authority.--The Commission may,
as necessary, update its regulations and associated deadlines
for the provision of closed captioning or audio description on
consumer generated media and video programming described in
paragraph (2)(B) if the Commission determines, based on the
findings in the applicable report under paragraph (1), that
updated regulations are necessary to--
``(A) effectively meet the accessibility needs of
individuals with disabilities; and
``(B) reflect technological and methodological
advances.''.
TITLE II--VIDEO PLAYBACK APPARATUSES
SEC. 201. VIDEO PLAYBACK APPARATUSES.
(a) In General.--Section 303 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 303) is amended--
(1) in subsection (u)--
(A) by adjusting the margins 2 ems to the left; and
(B) in paragraph (1)(C), by striking ``visually
impaired'' and inserting ``low vision'';
(2) in subsection (z)--
(A) by adjusting the margins 2 ems to the left; and
(B) by striking ``video description'' each place it
appears and inserting ``audio description''; and
(3) in subsection (aa)--
(A) by adjusting the margins 2 ems to the left;
(B) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or any
successor protocol'' after ``protocol'';
(C) in paragraph (3)--
(i) by striking ``video description'' and
inserting ``audio description''; and
(ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
(D) by redesignating paragraph (4) as paragraph
(8);
(E) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) that the mechanism used for activating the closed
captioning, audio description, and other accessibility features
described in paragraph (3) be `readily accessible' as defined
by the factors enumerated in section 79.103(e)(1) of title 47,
Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor regulation;
``(5) that, if achievable and technically feasible,
apparatus equipped with the functions described in paragraph
(1) be equipped with an audio channel or audio track dedicated
solely to making audio description available;
``(6) that apparatus equipped with the functions described
in paragraph (1) provide a user with a prompt to modify closed
captioning and audio description activation and performance
settings upon initial power-on after user purchase of the
apparatus or upon a reset to factory settings of the apparatus;
``(7) that apparatus equipped with the functions described
in paragraph (1), if technically feasible, provide the
necessary hardware and software to achieve compatibility with,
and to the extent achievable (as defined in section 716(g)),
the integration of, assistive technologies and services,
peripheral devices, or specialized customer premises equipment
commonly used by individuals with disabilities to achieve
access to the apparatus, including refreshable braille
displays, switch activation such as sip and puff devices,
hearing aids, hands-free technologies, and, if such apparatus
is equipped with voice input that is used to access its
functions, voice recognition functionality so that such menus
or indicators are accessible to and usable by individuals with
speech disabilities in real-time; and''; and
(F) in paragraph (8), as so redesignated, by
striking ``does not include'' and inserting with
``includes''.
(b) Implementing Regulations.--
(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``navigation
device'' has the meaning given the term in section 76.1200 of
title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any successor
regulation.
(2) Requirement.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission
shall prescribe such regulations that apportion the
responsibilities for compliance with subsections (u), (z), and
(aa) of section 303 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 303), as amended by subsection (a), among the categories
of entities engaged in manufacturing, importing into the United
States, maintaining, operating, or providing applications,
plugins, or other software for apparatus and navigation devices
to ensure full access by viewers via all entities responsible
for digital apparatus and navigation devices.
TITLE III--COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES
SEC. 301. VIDEO CONFERENCING.
The Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 151 et seq.) is amended--
(1) in section 3 (47 U.S.C. 153)--
(A) by redesignating paragraph (59) as paragraph
(60); and
(B) by inserting after paragraph (58) the
following:
``(59) Visual interpretation services.--The term `visual
interpretation services' means functionality that is achieved
using human assistance or automation to generate real-time
descriptions of visual information, including images and text,
for the purpose of conveying those descriptions to individuals
who are blind or low vision.''; and
(2) in section 716(e) (47 U.S.C. 617(e)), by adding at the
end the following:
``(3) Revision of regulations; video conferencing
services.--
``(A) Regulations.--Not later than 3 years after
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Commission
shall prescribe regulations to require, unless not
achievable, that all providers of interoperable video
conferencing services and all manufacturers of
equipment capable of providing or enabling
interoperable video conferencing services make
available--
``(i) voice recognition functionality that
is capable of generating understandable speech
when used by individuals with speech
disabilities;
``(ii) a simplified user interface that is
accessible to individuals with cognitive
disabilities, including a simplified, secure
modality for initiating and authenticating
interoperable video conferencing services;
``(iii) instructional materials for
activating interoperable video conferencing
services with plain and simple language and
iconography that is accessible to individuals
with cognitive disabilities;
``(iv) visual interpretation services;
``(v) screen-reader capability for all user
interface elements and visual information,
including presentations, videos, and
interactive documents shared during
interoperable video conferencing calls;
``(vi) refreshable braille displays and
other devices used for the tactile conveyance
of interface elements and visual information,
including presentations, videos, and
interactive documents shared during
interoperable video conferencing calls; and
``(vii) hands-free technologies.
``(B) Industry flexibility.--An entity may satisfy
the requirements under the regulations prescribed under
subparagraph (A) with respect to the video conferencing
services, equipment, or systems the entity provides or
manufactures, as applicable, by ensuring that the
services, equipment, or systems are accessible and
usable by individuals with disabilities--
``(i) without the use of third party
applications, peripheral devices, software,
hardware, or customer premises equipment; or
``(ii) with the use of third party
applications, peripheral devices, software,
hardware, or customer premises equipment, so
long as consumers are not assessed charges
associated with achieving accessibility through
such third party mechanisms.
``(C) Compatibility for video conferencing
services.--If compliance with a regulation prescribed
under subparagraph (A) is not achievable through the
means set forth in subparagraph (B), a manufacturer or
provider that enables interoperable video conferencing
services shall, unless not achievable, ensure that its
interoperable video conferencing service or equipment
is compatible with existing peripheral devices or
specialized customer premises equipment commonly used
by individuals with disabilities to provide the
accessibility features described in subparagraph
(A).''.
SEC. 302. RELAY SERVICES.
Section 225 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 225) is
amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by redesignating paragraphs (2) and (3) as
paragraphs (5) and (6), respectively;
(B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following:
``(2) Communication facilitator.--The term `communication
facilitator' means a skilled user of sign language who is able
to facilitate the ability of a DeafBlind person to engage in
transmission and other services described in this section by
conveying the information provided during the use of those
services to the DeafBlind person through close vision or
tactile sign language.
``(3) Deaf interpreter.--The term `Deaf interpreter' means
an individual who--
``(A) is deaf or hard of hearing;
``(B) possesses native or near-native fluency in
sign language; and
``(C) has specialized training or experience to
assist in providing functionally equivalent sign
language interpretation for an individual using sign
language in a situation that--
``(i) requires linguistic or cultural
mediation;
``(ii) may be highly complex in nature; or
``(iii) may involve individuals who face
linguistic challenges, such as through atypical
language use, language deprivation, or
idiosyncratic signing styles.
``(4) Direct video calling service.--The term `direct video
calling service' means telephone customer support using one-to-
one video communication that--
``(A) is facilitated by a contact center
representative; and
``(B) enables a real-time conversation to occur
directly between not fewer than 2 parties using sign
language--
``(i) not less than 1 of the parties to
which is a governmental agency, business, non-
profit organization, emergency authority, or
other enterprise; and
``(ii) not less than 1 of the parties to
which--
``(I)(aa) is deaf, hard of hearing,
or DeafBlind; or
``(bb) has a speech disability or
auditory processing disorder; and
``(II) relies on sign language for
communication.''; and
(C) by striking paragraph (6), as so redesignated,
and inserting the following:
``(6) Telecommunications relay services.--The term
`telecommunications relay services' means--
``(A) transmission services that provide the
ability for an individual who is deaf, hard of hearing,
or DeafBlind, or who has a speech disability or an
auditory processing disorder, to engage in
communication by wire or radio with 1 or more
individuals, in a manner that is functionally
equivalent to, or, if technically feasible, provides
access that is equal to, the ability of a hearing
individual who does not have a speech disability to
communicate using voice communication services or
advanced communications services by wire or radio; and
``(B) other services facilitating functionally
equivalent communication by wire or radio for an
individual who is deaf, hard of hearing, or DeafBlind,
or who has a speech disability or an auditory
processing disorder, including the provision of
communication facilitators for an individual who is
DeafBlind and the provision of direct video calling
services for communication in real-time by sign
language users with customer service centers and other
call centers operated by local, State, or Federal
Government agencies, crisis centers, and emergency
authorities.''; and
(2) in subsection (d), by adding at the end the following:
``(4) Sign language access to emergency services;
communication facilitators; direct video calling services.--
``(A) Definition.--In this paragraph, the term
`video relay service' has the meaning given the term in
section 64.601(a)(57) of title 47, Code of Federal
Regulations, or any successor regulation.
``(B) Regulations.--Not later than 2 years after
the date of enactment of this paragraph, the Commission
shall prescribe such regulations as are necessary to--
``(i) define as eligible for relay service
support from the fund described in section
64.604(c)(5)(iii) of title 47, Code of Federal
Regulations, as in effect on that date of
enactment--
``(I) direct video calling services
between sign language users and call
center representatives in local, State,
or Federal government agencies, crisis
centers, and emergency authorities;
``(II) services provided by
communication facilitators on
telecommunications relay services calls
with individuals who are DeafBlind; and
``(III) the provision of a Deaf
interpreter to accompany a hearing
communications assistant, as defined in
section 64.601(a)(13) of title 47, Code
of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation, when necessary to
assist in providing functionally
equivalent sign language interpretation
on calls using video relay service;
``(ii) achieve full, equal, and direct
access to public safety answering points, as
that term is defined in section 222(h), and
other local emergency authorities, including
emergency authorities responding to wireless
calls placed by dialing 9-1-1, by individuals
who--
``(I) are deaf, hard of hearing, or
DeafBlind, or who have a speech
disability or a cognitive disability;
and
``(II) use sign language; and
``(iii) unless not achievable (as defined
in section 716(g)), ensure that a person can
have a single telephone number for the purpose
of receiving calls and messages from other
entities calling by means of video relay
services or voice or electronic text messaging
services.
``(C) Contents.--The regulations described in
subparagraph (A)(ii) shall, unless not achievable (as
defined in section 716(g)), at a minimum, require that
users communicating by means of a video relay service
or a direct video calling service shall be capable of
using native dialing or 1-step access on a mobile phone
so that such communication--
``(i) includes the location information of
the user, to be transmitted and delivered
immediately and directly to the applicable
emergency authority; and
``(ii) is received by the applicable
emergency authority with the same speed and
efficiency as a voice call made by dialing 9-1-
1.
``(5) Reassessment of available services and minimum
standards.--Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment
of this paragraph, and once every 4 years thereafter, the
Commission shall, as necessary to respond to evolving
communication technologies, reassess and update the regulations
prescribed under this subsection to ensure that those
regulations effectively satisfy the communication needs of
individuals with disabilities who are covered by this Act,
including by--
``(A) assessing the need for new modes of
telecommunications relay services; and
``(B) increasing and improving the mandatory
minimum standards to ensure the quality and privacy of
telecommunications relay services.''.
SEC. 303. NATIONAL DEAFBLIND EQUIPMENT DISTRIBUTION PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--Section 719 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47
U.S.C. 620) is amended--
(1) in subsection (a)--
(A) by striking ``low-income''; and
(B) by striking ``deaf-blind'' and inserting
``DeafBlind'';
(2) by amending subsection (b) to read as follows:
``(b) Definition.--In this section, the term `individual who is
DeafBlind'--
``(1) has the meaning given the term `individual who is
deaf-blind' in section 206 of the Helen Keller National Center
Act (29 U.S.C. 1905); and
``(2) includes an individual who--
``(A) for the purposes of satisfying subparagraph
(A)(i) of such section 206(2), has been diagnosed with
a cortical or cerebral visual impairment;
``(B) for the purposes of satisfying subparagraph
(A)(ii) of such section 206(2), has been diagnosed with
an auditory processing disorder; or
``(C) for the purposes of satisfying subparagraphs
(A)(i) and (A)(ii) of such section 206(2), has been
diagnosed with both a cortical or cerebral visual
impairment and an auditory processing disorder.''; and
(3) in subsection (c), by striking ``$10,000,000'' and
inserting ``$20,000,000, which the Commission shall adjust
annually for inflation using an inflation factor determined by
the Commission''.
(b) Update to Regulations.--Not later than 18 months after the date
of enactment of this Act, the Federal Communications Commission shall
update section 64.610 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation, to ensure consistency with the amendments made by
subsection (a).
TITLE IV--CUSTOMER SERVICE
SEC. 401. USABILITY OF ADVANCED COMMUNICATION AND VIDEO PROGRAMMING
SERVICES.
Section 716 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 617) is
amended--
(1) by redesignating subsection (j) as subsection (k); and
(2) by inserting after subsection (i) the following:
``(j) Usability.--
``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `direct
video calling services' has the meaning given the term in
section 225(a).
``(2) Manufacturers and service providers.--If a
manufacturer or service provider to which subsections (a) and
(b) apply offers live or machine-generated customer assistance
to the general public, each such entity shall, unless not
achievable, make such assistance usable to individuals with
disabilities who rely on sign language by making available the
ability to communicate in real time in sign language with
customer service agents through direct video calling services.
``(3) Video programming.--If a video programming provider,
multi-video programming distributor, or video apparatus
manufacturer to which this Act applies offers live or machine-
generated customer assistance to the general public, each such
entity shall, unless not achievable, make that assistance
usable to individuals with disabilities who rely on sign
language by making available the ability to communicate in real
time in sign language with customer service agents through
direct video calling services.
``(4) Regulations.--The Commission shall--
``(A) not later than 1 year after the date of
enactment of this paragraph, prescribe such regulations
as may be necessary to implement paragraph (2), which
shall contain standards to ensure that direct video
calling services for individuals with disabilities who
rely on sign language as their primary form of
communication receive customer and technical support
that is not less effective in terms of availability,
scope, and quality than customer and technical support
provided to the general public; and
``(B) not later than 2 years after the date of
enactment of this paragraph, prescribe such regulations
as may be necessary to implement paragraph (3), which
shall contain standards to ensure that direct video
calling services for individuals with disabilities who
rely on sign language as their primary form of
communication receive customer and technical support
that is not less effective in terms of availability,
scope, and quality than customer service provided to
the general public.''.
TITLE V--EMERGING TECHNOLOGY
SEC. 501. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY.
Title VII of the Communications Act of 1934 (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)
is amended by adding at the end the following:
``SEC. 723. EMERGING TECHNOLOGY ACCESSIBILITY.
``(a) Augmentative and Alternative Communication Defined.--In this
section, the term `augmentative and alternative communication' means
any tool, method, technology, strategy, service, training, coaching, or
other support used to supplement or replace speech.
``(b) Reports to Congress.--Not later than 5 years after the date
of enactment of this section, and every 5 years thereafter, the
Commission shall, in consultation with the United States Access Board,
submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of
Representatives a report assessing--
``(1) the extent to which emerging communication and video
programming technologies, such as those that include the use of
artificial intelligence, augmented reality, virtual reality,
extended reality, dual reality, spatial computing, and other
advanced machine learning, wireless technologies, including Wi-
Fi and Bluetooth, robotics, the Internet of Things, and other
forms of advanced computing power, result in accessibility
opportunities and barriers for individuals with disabilities;
and
``(2) solutions needed to ensure that emerging
communications and video programming technologies and services
such as those described in paragraph (1)--
``(A) are accessible to individuals with
disabilities; and
``(B) provide the necessary hardware and software
to achieve compatibility with peripheral devices or
specialized customer premises equipment commonly used
by individuals with disabilities to achieve access.
``(c) Assessment of Effect on Individuals With Particular
Barriers.--In preparing each report required under subsection (b), the
Commission shall assess the effect of emerging technologies on
individuals with disabilities who have particular barriers to
participation and communication with those technologies, including
individuals with disabilities who--
``(1) have limited language or communication abilities,
including individuals with speech disabilities and those that
use augmentative and alternative communication, and individuals
with cognitive disabilities;
``(2) have significant, targeted, or multiple disabilities,
including individuals who are blind or low vision, deaf or hard
of hearing, DeafBlind, have an auditory processing disorder, a
cortical or cerebral visual impairment, or have both
communication and mobility disabilities; or
``(3) in addition to their disability, lack access to
advanced communication services and technology due to age,
geographical location, socioeconomic status or Tribal
affiliation.
``(d) Regulations.--Not later than 2 years after the date on which
the Commission submits each report required under subsection (b), the
Commission shall prescribe new or update existing regulations for
ensuring the accessibility of emerging communications and video
programming technologies and services by individuals with disabilities
where doing so is necessary to further the goals of the statutory
provisions implemented by the regulations of the Commission under parts
6, 7, 14, and 79 of title 47, Code of Federal Regulations, or any
successor regulation intended to fulfill these goals.''.
TITLE VI--ENFORCEMENT AND REPORTING
SEC. 601. ACCESSIBILITY ENFORCEMENT.
(a) In General.--Section 503(b)(5) of the Communications Act of
1934 (47 U.S.C. 503(b)(5)) is amended by inserting after ``uses that
tower'' the following: ``, or in the case of violations of this Act
related to requirements of accessibility for individuals with
disabilities, including violations of section 225, section 255, section
276(b)(1)(A), subsections (u) through (aa) of section 303, section
330(b), section 710, section 711, section 713, or sections 715 through
719''.
(b) Other Laws.--This Act and the amendments made by this Act shall
not be construed to modify, impair, supersede, or preclude enforcement
of violations of other State or Federal disability rights and civil
rights laws.
SEC. 602. ACCESSIBILITY COMPLAINT REPORTING.
Section 717 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 618) is
amended by striking subsections (b), (c), (d), and (e) and inserting
the following:
``(b) Accessibility Complaint Reporting Requirement.--Not later
than 3 years after the date of enactment of the Communications, Video,
and Technology Accessibility Act of 2026, and every 3 years thereafter,
the Commission shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Energy and Commerce
of the House of Representatives a report that includes the following:
``(1) The number and nature of complaints received pursuant
to subsection (u), (z), or (aa) of section 303, section 330(b),
section 713, and section 716(a) during the period covered by
the report.
``(2) A description of the actions taken to resolve the
complaints described in paragraph (1), including forfeiture
penalties assessed.
``(3) The length of time that was taken by the Commission
to resolve each such complaint.
``(4) The number, status, nature, and outcome of each
action for mandamus filed pursuant to section 717(a)(6) and the
number, status, nature, and outcome of each appeal filed
pursuant to section 402(b)(10).''.
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