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Senate Co-Sponsorship Memoranda
Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2021 - 2022
Regular Session
MEMORANDUM
| Posted: | December 22, 2020 02:31 PM |
|---|---|
| From: | Senator Lisa M. Boscola and Sen. Doug Mastriano |
| To: | All Senate members |
| Subject: | Prohibition of Barring the Acceptance of Cash & Coins for Payment |
| In the near future, we plan on introducing legislation prohibiting the barring of acceptance of cash and coin payments for goods and services. Recently, the New Jersey legislature enacted a similar initiative. This legislation will apply to brick-and-mortar businesses, and we intend our bill to be consumer friendly. Over the past year, Pennsylvanians have expressed frustration about not being able to utilize cash or coins when engaging in retail transactions. Prohibiting cash payments is unfair to consumers who do not possess a debit or credit card, or other means of payment. Requiring a credit card or cashless payment option only disenfranchises consumers and could hurt those of a lower-income status, young consumers that do not have access to a bank account or a line of credit, or senior citizens that rely on cash. It is not our intention to adversely impact small businesses that are struggling as a result of COVID-19 mitigation efforts, or curb the use of new technology impacting the manner in which we pay for goods and services. Rather, we want consumers to be able to choose whichever method is preferable to them to pay for goods and services. We hope that you will join us in co-sponsoring this legislation. |
Introduced as SB512