[HISTORY: Adopted by the City Council of the City of Watertown 1-9-2024 by Ord. No. 2024-O-2. Amendments noted where applicable.]
The purpose of this chapter is to expand accessible communication in places of public accommodation.
When used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
CLOSED CAPTIONING
A transcript or dialog of the audio portion of a television program that is displayed on the bottom portion of a television receiver screen when the user activates the feature.
CLOSED CAPTIONING TELEVISION RECEIVER
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.
PUBLIC AREA
Any part of a public facility that is open to the general public.
PUBLIC FACILITY
Shall have the same meaning as "place of accommodation," as defined in MGL c. 272, § 92A, and as used in MGL c. 272, § 98, except as expressly limited by this chapter.
PUBLIC ENTERTAINMENT VENUE
A place that is open to the public for mass gathering for entertainment, regardless of whether or not a ticket or payment of any type is required for admission. The term includes, but is not limited to, cinemas, theaters, concert halls, sports centers, and festivals.
REGULAR HOURS
The hours of any day in which a public facility is generally open to members of the general public.
(A) 
Any person owning or managing a public facility in the City of Watertown must activate closed captioning on closed captioned television receivers in use in any public area during regular hours.
(B) 
Exception. This section does not require public entertainment venues to activate closed captioning on closed captioned television receivers.
(C) 
This section does not require a public facility to make closed captioning available in a public area of the public facility if:
(1) 
No television receiver of any kind is available in the public area; or
(2) 
The only public television receiver available in the public area is not a closed captioning television receiver.
(D) 
Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to imply an exemption from state and federal requirements, such as those for effective communication and reasonable accommodations required under the Americans with Disabilities Act.[1]
[1]
Editor's Note: See 42 U.S.C. § 12101 et seq.
(A) 
If a violation of Chapter 117 occurs, individuals can file a complaint with the City's ADA Coordinator.
(B) 
The Commission on Disability shall work with the ADA Coordinator to help investigate complaints.
(C) 
The ADA Coordinator and the Commission on Disability shall have the authority to investigate complaints brought forward, including but not limited to conducting unscheduled inspections of public facilities, holding mediation sessions with public facilities and other interested parties, and providing guidance for bringing public facilities into compliance.