COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
The John A. Wilson Building
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, nw
Washington, D.C. 20004
Statement of Introduction
Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2024
September 16, 2024
Today, I am proud to introduce the Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment
Act of 2024 along with Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Matthew Frumin. This legislation
would exempt Class C and D alcohol license holders from being required to accept cash as a
form of payment for goods or services. Class C license holders are establishments such as
restaurants, hotels, taverns, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues, allowing them to serve
spirits, beer, and wine. Class D licenses cover the same establishments but restrict service to beer
and wine only.
The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act, passed in 2020 and funded in the Fiscal Year 2023
budget, prohibited retail establishments from discriminating against cash as a form of payment.
However, due to public safety concerns, a provision was included in the Secure DC Omnibus
Amendment Act of 2024 to temporarily pause implementation of this law. This pause is set to
expire on January 1, 2025, at which the cashless retailer prohibition will go into effect.
Many businesses, particularly those that sell alcohol, are concerned for their employees’ safety
and have shared multiple stories about successful and attempted robberies and burglaries.
Businesses that are cashless are not at risk of robbery in the same way as businesses with cash on
hand. By exempting the requirement to accept cash payments, this legislation will allow Class C
and D alcohol license holders the option to operate as cashless establishments if they feel it is
necessary for the safety of their employees and patrons. The primary reason establishments
choose to avoid cash payments is to reduce the risk of robbery and burglary, followed by the
availability of non-cash payment options and to reduce the risk of internal theft. It is important to
note that while this bill grants flexibility, all establishments have the option to accept cash as a
form of payment.
I look forward to continue working with my Council colleagues to balance the safety of workers
in these establishments and ensuring cash remains a payment option in most businesses.
Christina Henderson Committee Member
Councilmember, At-Large Hospital and Health Equity
Chairperson, Committee on Health Judiciary and Public Safety
Transportation and the Environment
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Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Christina Henderson 2
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Councilmember Matthew Frumin 7
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A BILL 11
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IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 16
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To amend Section 28-5404 of the District of Columbia Official Code to allow retail 20
establishments with a valid on-premises Class C and Class D retailer license to refuse 21
cash as a form of payment. 22
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 24
act may be cited as the “Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 25
2024.” 26
Sec. 2. Section 28-5404 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows: 27
(a) Paragraph (3)(c) is amended by striking the phrase “; or” and inserting a semicolon in 28
its place. 29
(b) Paragraph (4) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phase “; or” in its 30
place. 31
(c) A new paragraph (5) is added to read as follows: 32
“(5) To any retail establishment with a valid on-premises Class C or Class D retailer 33
license.”. 34
Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 35 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 36
impact statement required by section 4a of the General Leg37
approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 38
Sec. 4. Effective date. 39
This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 40
Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto), and a 30-day period of congressional review 41
as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 42
24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 43