Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney led the Senate Wednesday in passage of a bill to study the benefits and impact of disclosing the actual start times of films shown in Connecticut’s movie theaters while making recommendations to increase the availability of family entertainment options throughout the state.
The Senate approved S.B. 797 on a 27-9 vote, sending the proposal to the House for consideration ahead of the legislative session’s June 4 adjournment date.
Senator Looney, D-New Haven, initially proposed S.B. 797 to require the disclosure of accurate movie start times in advertisements and listings in response to complaints from constituents, who objected that movies often begin far later than their listed start times. These delays sometimes led to additional babysitting costs or missed dinner reservations.
However, after hearing feedback from the operators of Connecticut movie theaters, whose numbers have significantly declined since the pandemic, Senate Democrats amended the bill to establish a working group to study the impact of the change and draft recommendations to increase the availability of entertainment options.
“Although moviegoers should have access to accurate information as a matter of consumer fairness, we believe we have accomplished the goal of the original bill by the public attention given to the issue,” Senator Looney said. “That’s why S.B. 797 creates a working group that will explore ways to increase transparency while also bolstering Connecticut’s entertainment landscape and increasing the economic viability of establishments like movie theaters.”
“We know Connecticut is ranked among the best states in the nation to raise a family, and part of maintaining that reputation is ensuring access to affordable, family-friendly entertainment,” said Senator James Maroney, Senate Chair of the General Law Committee. “We believe this working group can identify thoughtful solutions that respect the time and expectations of families while supporting local entertainment venues.”
S.B. 797 tasks the chairs of the legislature’s General Law Committee with leading the working group, which will be expected to provide recommendations by Jan. 1, 2026.
The group will consider the benefits and ramifications of disclosing the actual start time of motion pictures in addition to other means of providing greater transparency. Meanwhile, the working group will develop recommendations to increase family entertainment options through policies like financial incentives including tax credits or the establishment of entertainment districts to ensure that such venues remain economically viable.
Share this page: