The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018
Jul 16, 2018
Soon, it may be illegal for fooderies to refuse cash. The United States of America's capital is fighting back the cashless trend that discriminates against the unbanked, the underbanked, the youth, the elderly and those who simply value the ease and convenience of cash.
Currently, up for review, the new bill introduced in Washington D.C. would require retail food establishments to accept cash; to prevent discrimination. The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018 will also make it illegal to charge different prices to customers according to the method of payment.
Bill: B22-0875 The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018
To amend Title 28 of the District of Columbia Official Code to require retail food establishments to accept cash; to prevent discrimination against customers who prefer to use cash or do not have access to credit cards or other payment methods; and to provide for enforcement of this requirement.
Afterall, why should hungry kids and the underbanked be refused at places like Sweetgreen, Menchie’s, Jetties or JRINK.
On June 26, 2018, the bill was introduced by DC councilmember David Grasso, and five other councilmembers. On July 6, 2018 the a Notice of Intent to Act was published in the Disctrict of Columbia Register. The bill is currently under Council Review.
Excerpt from Councilmember David Grosso's Introduction Statement
Grosso promotes retail equity with bill to prohibit cashless retail
Washington, D.C. – Today Councilmember David Grosso (I-At Large) introduced legislation that promotes equity at local businesses by ending the trend towards cashless retail, a discriminatory practice that excludes District residents who do not have a credit or debit card.
The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018 requires retail food establishments operating in the District of Columbia to accept cash as a form of payment. Further, it prohibits the discrimination against anyone who chooses to use cash as a form of payment, such as charging different prices.
“By denying patrons the ability to use cash as a form of payment, businesses are effectively telling lower-income and young patrons that they are not welcome,”
One in ten residents in the District of Columbia has no bank. An additional one in four are underbanked and therefore may not have access to a debit or credit card.
“Through this bill, we can ensure that all D.C. residents and visitors can continue to patronize the businesses they choose while avoiding the potential embarrassment of being denied service simply because they lack a credit card,” Grosso said.
Chairman Phil Mendelson, Councilmembers Anita Bonds, Brianne Nadeau, Vincent Gray, and Trayon White joined Grosso as co-introducers of the legislation.
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