Folks:

Just a quick update....The State of Rhode Island has jumped onto the bandwagon to try and require captioned movies in their theaters.  In a bill introduced before the legislature on February 25, 2009, they are seeking to require all movie theaters with 5 or more screens to provide captioned movies for the deaf and hard of hearing and Descriptive Audio narration for the blind.  The wording of this bill is almost 100% similar to the bills introduced here in Kentucky, with the exception that they have made a point of including DA for the blind in the bill explicitly.  You can read a copy of the proposed bill here: 

http://www.rilin.state.ri.us/billtext09/housetext09/h5601.pdf

Kudos to the Rhode Island legislators and the commission up there....Wonder if any of those nice folks are going to give me credit for their idea since the wording is nearly identical to what I had proposed here in Kentucky?  One can dream, can't they?  Haha  In all seriousness, I will be following the path of their bill too, and cheering them on. 

In the meantime, in Kentucky, we have just concluded our 17th legislative day in an odd-numbered year, which means there are only 13 more legislative days (not the same as calendar days) left.  In Kentucky, the legislature meets for 30 days in odd-numbered years, and 60 days in even-numbered years.  To date, SB 10 and HB 103 have not even been brought up for discussion in their respective committees (Licensing, Occupation and Administrative Regulations in the Senate, and the Judiciary in the House), which I was at least hoping for.  It appears the lobbyists have perhaps gained the ear(s) of the leadership, and been able to keep the bills laying on the table.  I will continue to push for at least a discussion on the respective committees, and hopefully, if nothing else, a study to be done by the Legislative Research Commission, in preparations for hopeful refiling in 2010 if necessary.  I will continue to keep everyone posted.

On to other news, the Kentucky Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing is having their next Town Hall meeting in Prestonsburg, Ky. on Saturday, March 21, 2009 at the Big Sandy Area Development District office from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.  From all indications, the previous Town Halls have been resounding successes, and I look forward to a great turnout to help the Eastern Kentucky Town Hall be a success as well.  If you live in Eastern Kentucky, please make plans to turn out for this wonderful opportunity to speak with the KCDHH, voice your concerns and suggestions, and learn about the many programs and opportunities offered by the wonderful staff there.  Make sure to come up and introduce yourself to me as well, since I plan to be there.  Tell all of your friends and make arrangements to be there.  I will be posting directions to the location on another post. 

Eddie