Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2024
Impact
The bill responds to a significant shift in consumer payment habits, with a marked increase in contactless payment methods. Since the onset of the pandemic, contactless transactions surged, with consumers using cash far less frequently than before. The proposed measure balances the need for cash accessibility for unbanked individuals against the safety concerns of businesses operating with cash. By allowing certain establishments to refuse cash, the bill attempts to mitigate risks associated with holding and transporting cash in environments that have faced increased criminal activities.
Summary
PR25-1072, titled the 'Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2024', proposes an emergency amendment to the District of Columbia Official Code. It aims to allow retail establishments, particularly those with Class C or Class D licenses (such as alcohol retailers), to refuse cash as a payment option. The resolution is a response to rising public safety concerns, particularly related to cash transactions that are believed to increase the risk of robbery and burglary. This amendment comes in advance of a previously passed statute designed to prohibit cashless establishments, which is set to take effect on January 1, 2025.
Contention
While the focus is on public safety, PR25-1072 may face discussion around its implications for access to cash as a payment option. Critics might argue that refusing cash could disproportionately affect vulnerable populations who rely on it for everyday transactions. There are also concerns regarding the potential normalization of cashless business practices that could limit consumer choice in a city where cash is still a necessary payment method for some segments of the population. The bill is positioned as a temporary emergency measure amid ongoing discussions regarding the future of cash transactions in retail settings.