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SB 797 Connecticut Senate · 2025 Regular Session

AN ACT REQUIRING A SCHEDULED START TIME DISCLAIMER IN CERTAIN MOTION PICTURE ADVERTISEMENTS.

SB 797 requires movie theaters and advertising companies to include a clear scheduled start time notice in certain motion picture advertisements, such as trailers or online promotions for upcoming showings. This law mandates that promotional materials explicitly state the actual start time of screenings, not just the film title or general time. It directly affects advertisers, theaters, and streaming platforms that produce or display pre-release movie ads. The policy change ensures viewers receive specific timing information before purchasing tickets.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
House Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2025 Last action May 23, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 2 comparisons

What changed between versions

Committee Bill → GL Joint Favorable Substitute · 3 edits
MINOR
This bill was revised to strengthen consumer protections by requiring clearer disclosure of movie start times in advertisements. The main change is that the required disclaimer now states actual movie start times may be 10+ minutes later than advertised, rather than requiring separate disclosure of both movie and trailer start times. The penalty for non-compliance was also reduced from $1,000 to $500 per violation.
Scope change
The bill's scope was narrowed from requiring separate disclosure of movie and trailer start times to a single combined disclaimer about potential delays.
REQUIREMENT

Changed the required disclaimer from two separate statements about movie and trailer start times to a single statement that actual movie start times may be 10+ minutes later than advertised.

ENFORCEMENT

Reduced the fine for non-compliance from $1,000 to $500 per violation.

TECHNICAL

Updated bill numbering from Committee Bill No. 797 to Substitute Bill No. 797 and changed status from Committee Bill to GL Joint Favorable Substitute.

Floor votes · Senate May 21, 2025

How they voted

27–9
Passed
Total votes 36
May 21, 2025
D Democratic25
25 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican11
2 Yea 9 Nay
81% Nay
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
16
Key actions
4
Committee
4
Amendments
1
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
SEN. PASSED, SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
May 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
SEN. ADOPTED SEN. AMEND. SCH. A
upper
Mar 21, 2025
Upper · Passed
Joint Favorable Substitute
upper
Feb 13, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law
upper
Feb 11, 2025
Upper · Passed
DRAFTED BY COMMITTEE
upper
Jan 21, 2025
Committee
REF. TO JOINT COMM. ON General Law
upper
0 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

No sponsor information available.