What's happening
This bill requires most retail businesses in New York to accept cash payments and prohibits discrimination against cash buyers.
Why it matters
Promotes financial inclusion. by ensuring that people without access to credit/debit cards or electronic payments (such as unbanked or underbanked individuals) are not excluded from making purchases at most retail businesses.
Limits the move toward “cashless” retail environments. , which some businesses prefer for speed, security, or convenience, but which can inadvertently discriminate against customers who rely on cash.
Allows for regulatory flexibility. , giving the Department of Financial Services power to create exemptions (for certain businesses, transaction sizes, or situations) to address practical concerns, such as security risks or operational challenges.
Establishes financial penalties. (up to $500 per violation) for businesses that refuse cash, creating a tangible deterrent and ensuring compliance with the new requirement.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Require Stores to Take Cash
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
21 Co-sponsors
3 Multi-sponsors
History
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
- Referred to consumer affairs and protection
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Require Stores to Accept Cash
In Senate Committee · Consumer Protection · Sponsor David Carlucci
Full text
2 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
771
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 10, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. GOTTFRIED, D'URSO, DINOWITZ, COLTON, WRIGHT, SIMON, COOK, McDONOUGH, PICHARDO, MONTESANO, GALEF, MOSLEY, HUNTER, SEAWRIGHT, BARRON, ARROYO, GLICK, LAVINE, OTIS, CAHILL -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. ENGLEBRIGHT, LAWRENCE, RAMOS -- read once and referred to the Committee on Consumer Affairs and Protection
AN ACT to amend the general business law, in relation to requiring merchants to accept cash as payment for goods
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The general business law is amended by adding a new section 396-aaa to read as follows:
§ 396-aaa. Cash payment non-discrimination. 1. Any retail mercantile establishment as defined in article twelve-B of this chapter, in which food is prepared, sold, or served subject to title eight of article thirteen of the public health law, or other establishment offering goods or services for sale shall accept United States currency (cash) as legal tender when offered as payment. Such establishment shall not discriminate against a cash buyer by requiring the use of a credit or debit card or electronic payment device or process in order to purchase food, goods, or services. This section shall not apply to telephone, mail order, electronic, online, or other transactions in which the buyer is not present in the establishment's physical place of business.
2. The superintendent of the department of financial services may make regulations to implement this section, including authorization of exemptions or exclusions from this section. Exemptions or exclusions under this section may be provided based on criteria including, but not limited to, the nature of the establishment; the nature of the food, goods, or services; the denomination of currency used; or the amount of the transaction.
3. A violation of this section shall be punishable by a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD03862-01-9
A. 771 2
§ 2. This act shall take effect on the one hundred eightieth day after it shall have become a law. Effective immediately, the superintendent of the department of financial services may make regulations and take other actions reasonably necessary to implement this act on that date.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.