Pro-Cash Legislation Database
Welcome to the Pro-Cash Legislation Database, the comprehensive list of legislative efforts aimed at preserving and promoting cash as a fundamental form of payment. In an increasingly digital age, the significance of cash remains undeniable, from safeguarding consumer choice to fostering financial inclusivity and upholding price fairness. As we look to the future, this database provides a concise resource to track pro-cash bills, emphasizing their role in maintaining the relevance of cash in a rapidly evolving payment landscape. Updated October 2023.
State | City i/a | Name of Bill or Amendment | Bill Number | Status | Description | Link1 | Link2 |
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Louisiana | Provides Relative to Theft of Automated Teller Machines (HB 94) | HB 94, 2023 | Law as of Aug 1, 2023 | This Bill makes it illegal to destroy, damage, impair, tamper with, or render an ATM inoperable with the intent to seal currency or personal financial information. | HB 94 | ||
Illinois | Consumer Fraud- No Cash Paymnts | SB 1979, 2023 HB 3281, 2023 | Illinois Senate Bill- 2nd Chamber Illinois House Bill- 1st Chamber | Any Person Engaged In the Business of Selling or Offering to Sell Goods or Services at Retail to the Public With an Individual Accepting In-Person Payments at a Physical Location Shall Not: (1) Refuse to Accept Cash As a Form of Payment For Sales of Less Than $2,000 Made at the Physical Location; (2) Post a Sign on the Premises Stating That Cash Payment Is Not Accepted; or (3) Charge a Higher Price to Customers Paying With Cash Compared to the Price Charged to Customers Not Paying With Cash. Provides For Specified Exceptions. | Consumer Fraud- No Cash Payments Senate Bill | Consumer Fraud- No Cash Payments House Bill | |
Illinois | Crim-Electronic Fund Transfer | HB 2891, 2023 | Illinois House Bill- 1st Chamber | A Person Commits Forcible Withdrawal from an Electronic Fund Transfer Terminal When the Person Uses Force or Threatens the Use of Force Against Another Person to Effect or to Attempt to Effect a Withdrawal from an Electronic Fund Transfer Terminal Located In the State. Provides That a Violation Is a Class 1 Felony. Defines "Electronic Fund Transfer Terminal". Amends the Unified Code of Corrections. Provides That It Is an Aggravating Factor In Sentencing That the Defendant Committed the Offense of First Degree Murder During the Commission of Forcible Withdrawal from an Electronic Fund Transfer Terminal. | Crim-Electronic Fund Transfer, Zingher-Clearly-Feitler Act | ||
Massachusetts | Relative to discrimination against cash buyers | HB 307, 2023 | Massachusetts House Bill- 1st Chamber | Section 10A of chapter 255D of the General Laws is hereby amended by...the following words: "No retail or service establishment of any kind shall require...the transfer of cash into electronic debit or credit cards to process transactions. All...establishments shall be required to accept cash for any transaction." | An Act Relative to Discrimination Against Cash Buyers | ||
Massachusetts | Establishing Uniform Safeguards and Public Protections For Consumers Conducting Bank Transactions at Automated Teller Machines | HB 292, 2023 | Massachusetts House Bill- 1st Chamber | This is an amendment that would add the definition of “Adequate Lighting” to the General Laws of Massachusetts. This is important because it further ensures the safety of ATM users by specifying exactly what measures need to be met for an ATM to be deemed as “adequately lit”. | Establishing uniform safeguards and public protections for consumers conducting bank transactions at automated teller machines | ||
Michigan | Consumer Protection: Unfair Trade Practices; Refusing to Accept Cash In a Retail Sale of Goods or Services | SB 283, 2023 | Michigan Senate Bill- 1st Chamber | This amendment would make it illegal for retail businesses to deny cash as a payment option. | Consumer Protection: Unfair Trade Practices; Refusing to Accept Cash In a Retail Sale of Goods or Services | ||
Missouri | Modifies provisions relating to criminal offenses involving teller machine | SB 186, 2023 | Law as of Aug 28, 2023 | This measure modifies the penalties related to criminal offenses involving ATMs. It adds to the offense of property damage in the first degree if such person knowingly damages, modifies, or destroys an ATM or otherwise makes it inoperable. This offense is a class D felony unless committed for the purpose of executing any scheme or artifice to defraud or obtain any property, the value of which exceeds $750 or the damage to the teller machine exceeds $750, in which case it is a Class C felony. It will be a Class B felony if committed for the purpose of obtaining the personal financial credentials of another person or if the person has committed a second or subsequent offense of damaging a teller machine. This measure adds that the offense of stealing is a Class C felony if the property stolen is a teller machine or the contents of a teller machine including cash regardless of the value or amount stolen. | Modifies provisions relating to criminal offenses involving teller machines | ||
New York | Prohibiting Retail Establishments from Refusing to Accept Payment In Cash | SB 2729, AB 476, 2023 | New York Senate Bill- 2nd Chamber New York Assembly Bill- 1st Chamber | Makes it illegal for food or retail establishments to deny cash as a payment option. | Prohibiting Retail Establishments from Refusing to Accept Payment In Cash, SB | Prohibiting Retail Establishments from Refusing to Accept Payment In Cash, AB | |
New York | Prohibits the Mandated Use of Credit Cards at State Parks, Recreational Facilities or Historic Sites | SB 5423, AB 4853, 2023 | New York Senate Bill- 2nd Chamber New York Assembly Bill- 1st Chamber | This act stipulates that any state park, recreational, facility, or historic site must accept cash as a payment option. | Prohibits the Mandated Use of Credit Cards at State Parks, Recreational Facilities or Historic Sites, SB | Prohibits the Mandated Use of Credit Cards at State Parks, Recreational Facilities or Historic Sites, AB | |
New York | Relates to Requiring Merchants to Accept Cash As Payment For Goods | SB 342, AB 7146, 2023 | New York Senate Bill- 1st Chamber New York Assembly Bill- 1st Chamber | Makes it illegal for food or retail establishments to deny cash as a payment option. This bill is basically the same as the first bill listed under New York | Relates to Requiring Merchants to Accept Cash As Payment For Goods, SB | Relates to Requiring Merchants to Accept Cash As Payment For Goods, AB | |
New York | Enacts the "Cash Acceptance Act" | AB 105, 2023 | New York Assembly Bill- 1st Chamber | Makes it illegal for food or retail establishments to deny cash as a payment option. This bill is basically the same as the first bill listed under New York. I have no clue how this bill differs from the other two. | Enacts the "Cash Acceptance Act" | ||
New Jersey | Prohibits Person Experiencing Coin Shortage from Charging Consumers Higher Price For Cash Payment. | SB3034, AB 4551, 2023 | New Jersey Senate Bill- 1st Chamber New Jersey Assembly Bill- 1st Chamber | This act makes it so businesses can’t round up on purchases, causing the customer to pay a higher price, because the business doesn’t have the correct change. | Prohibits Person Experiencing Coin Shortage from Charging Consumers Higher Price For Cash Payment, SB | Prohibits Person Experiencing Coin Shortage from Charging Consumers Higher Price For Cash Payment, AB | |
New Jersey | Establishes New Offenses Concerning Unlawful Possession and Use of Credit Card Scanners. | SB 1276, AB 1612, 2023 | New Jersey Senate Bill- 1st Chamber New Jersey Assembly Bill- 1st Chamber | While this act deals with steeper penalties for those unlawfully using credit card scanners, thus not dealing with cash, it is a good “pro cash” reminder. Using cash instead of card can prevent your identity from being stolen. | Establishes New Offenses Concerning Unlawful Possession and Use of Credit Card Scanners, SB | Establishes New Offenses Concerning Unlawful Possession and Use of Credit Card Scanners, AB | |
North Carolina | Cash Commitment Act | HB 20, 2023 | North Carolina House Bill- 1st Chamber | This measure requires that any person that sells goods or services at retail and that accepts in-person payments at a physical location must accept cash as a form of payment and not charge cash-paying customers a higher price compared to the price charged to other customers. | Cash Commitment Act | ||
Ohio | Require Retail Merchants to Give Customers Option to Pay By Cash | SB 38, 2023 | Ohio Senate Bill- 1st Chamber | This measure prohibits a person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail from requiring a buyer to pay using credit or prohibit them from using cash. A seller must accept cash. A violation of this measure is an unfair or deceptive act or practice. A person injured by a violation of this measure has a cause of action and is entitled to relief. | Require Retail Merchants to Give Customers Option to Pay By Cash | ||
Oklahoma | Uniform Consumer Credit Code; Prohibiting a Seller from Denying Cash Payments | SB 888, 2023 | Oklahoma Senate Bill- 1st Chamber | This measure states that a seller cannot impose a prohibition on the use of cash payments to a consumer who elects to use cash in lieu of payment by credit card or debit card. | Uniform Consumer Credit Code; Prohibiting a Seller from Denying Cash Payments | ||
Oklahoma | Legal Tender; Requiring Acceptance of Cash As Legal Tender; Penalties and Enforcement; Exempting Certain Transactions | HB 1633, 2023 | Oklahoma House Bill- 2nd Chamber | This measure prohibits a business providing basic needs from requiring a person to pay with a credit card or a central bank digital currency. They cannot prohibit cash, cashier's checks, or money orders as a form of payment. They cannot charge a penalty for the use of cash. A state agency must also accept cash. | Legal Tender; Requiring Acceptance of Cash As Legal Tender; Penalties and Enforcement; Exempting Certain Transactions; Effective Date. | ||
South Carolina | A Bill to Amend the South Carolina Code of Laws By Adding Article 17 to Chapter 1 of Title 1 So As to Provide That any Establishment That Holds a Retail License to Do Business In This State Must Accept Cash Payments For Transactions. | HB 3694, 2023 | South Carolina House Bill- 1st Chamber | This measure requires any establishment that holds a retail license must accept cash payments for transactions. | Any Establishment That Holds a Retail License to Do Business In This State Must Accept Cash Payments For Transactions | ||
Tennessee | Requires On-Site Payment For Services and Only Accepts Payment By Quick Response Code or a Credit or Debit Card Machine to Accept Payment By Cash, By Check, or Through a System That Allows the Consumer to Provide the Consumer's Credit or Debit Card Information Over the Phone, or Allow the Consumer to Leave the Property Without Payment at the Time, If the Quick Response Code or Credit or Debit Card Machine Fails to Operate Correctly to Process the Payment Transaction | HB 1306, 2023 | Law as of July 1, 2023 | This measure requires any establishment that holds a retail license must accept cash payments for transactions | Requires On-Site Payment For Services and Only Accepts Payment By Quick Response Code or a Credit or Debit Card Machine to Accept Payment By Cash... | ||
California | San Francisco | Acceptance of Cash by Brick-and-Mortar Businesses | Law in San Francisco as of 2019 | Keeps retailers from denying cash payments. | Acceptance of Cash by Brick-and-Mortar Businesses | ||
California | West Hollywood | Cashless Policies Prohibited | Law in West Hollywood as of 2019 | It shall be unlawful for any business engaging in business activity with a physical location in the city open to customers to refuse to accept payments for goods or services in cash from customers. | Cashless Policies Prohibited | ||
Colorado | Requires retail establishments that offer goods or services to accept United States currency (cash) to purchase the goods or services | Law in Colorado as of 2021 | The act requires retail establishments that offer goods or services to accept United States currency (cash) to purchase the goods or services, but does not apply to: • Establishments that do not have an individual accepting payment in person; | Requires retail establishments that offer goods or services to accept United States currency (cash) to purchase the goods or services | |||
Virginia | D.C. | Cashless Retailers Prohibition Amendment Act of 2020 | Law in D.C. as of 2020 | Businesses can’t deny the usage of cash | Cashless Retailers Prohibition Amendment Act of 2020” | ||
Massachusetts | Discrimination against cash buyers | Law in Massachusetts as of 1978 | First state to protect cash as a method of payment | Discrimination against cash buyers | |||
New Jersey | NJ A591 (18R) | Law in New Jersey as of 2019 | Bans most businesses from rejecting cash as a form of payment | NJ A591 (18R) | |||
New York | NYC | NY Cashless Law | Law in NYC as of 2020 | Beginning November 19, 2020, stores must accept cash unless they have a machine to convert cash to a prepaid card. They cannot charge more for paying in cash. | Prohibition of Cashless Establishments | ||
Pennsylvania | Philadelphia | Regulation 8- Cash Payments in Retail Establishments | Law in Philadelphia as of 2019 | Made it illegal to not accept cash as a form of payment | Regulation 8 – Cash payments in retail establishments | ||
Rhode Island | Cash payment for retail purchases. | Law in Rhode Island as of 2019 | Made it illegal for businesses to discriminate against customers who wish to pay with cash. | Cash payment for retail purchases | |||
USA | Payment Choice Act | Reintroduce in summer 2023 | Would make it illegal nationwide to deny cash payments | Payment Choice Act | |||
USA | Safe Access to Cash Act | Introduced May 2023 | Would increase the charges on assault, theft, and robbery involving ATMs. | Safe Access to Cash Act | |||
USA | Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act | Introduced Sept 2023 | Requiring our National Parks to accept cash as a form of payment for entrance to the National Parks. | Protecting Access to Recreation with Cash Act |