The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018

Jul 16, 2018

Source

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 SweetgreenMenchie’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.

Track bill here

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,”
"David GrassoDistrict of Colombia Council MemberAs quoted by The Guardian (July 15, 2018)

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.

Read original article here

Download bill here


Related articles

Washington Post As restaurants go cashless, a backlash is building. Will D.C. intervene?
The global cashless movement has reached Washington, where a growing number of fast-casual establishments and other spots are saying no to greenbacks in favor of plastic and mobile payments. Sweetgreen, the national salad chain founded by Georgetown University graduates, went cashless in most of its locations last year. Other cashless spots include a Menchie’s frozen-yogurt shop downtown, the posh Barcelona Wine Bar on 14th Street NW and the Bruery beer store at Union Market.

The Guardian Why going cashless is discriminatory – and what's being done to stop it
Mobile payments. Credit cards. Digital currencies. Going cashless seems to be a worldwide trend. In Belgium, it is illegal to buy real estate with cash. Some banks in Australia have eliminated cash from their branches. Sweden has seen its use of cash drop to less than 2% of all transactions, and the number could be heading even lower in the next few years.

Cash Matters China's central bank tackles cashless overhype
In a bid to stop people from discriminating against cash, The People's Bank of China announced on Friday that all businesses and individuals must resume accepting cash by the mid August 2018...In the statement, the bank also points out that businesses and individuals should not hype up the "cashless" idea when promoting non-cash payment.

Cash Matters Chicago Alderman Decrees Ban on Cashless 
Chicago's distinguished Alderman Edward Burke (14th Ward) introduced an ordinance to prohibit licensees from refusing cash as payment for goods or services at a City Council meeting on 11th October 2017... Burke argued that the “insensitive” rush to go-cashless is being fueled by “retailers, aided and abetted by electronic payment giants who stand to reap millions in windfall profits on the backs of consumers.”

Cash Matters Why Shake Shack gave up on going cashless
American fast food burger chain, Shake Shack recently decided against going cashless after New Yorkers demanded to be allowed to pay with legal tender following recent tests with cashless outlets. 

Last Updated: Aug 9, 2018