Relates to prohibiting food stores and retail establishments from refusing to accept payment in cash

Cash payment protections for New York shoppers

Beginning 120 days after becoming law, New York food stores and retail businesses must accept cash, with limited exceptions. This includes food vendors and retail services, but not banks or trust companies. Cash means U.S. coins and bills, not checks or foreign currency. Stores cannot charge more for the same consumer goods when you pay cash instead of using a cashless method. Stores may refuse bills over $20. They may also refuse cash for phone, mail, or online transactions unless you pay on the premises. Stores can offer an on-site cash-to-prepaid-card machine instead of taking cash directly. The card must work at that store, and the machine cannot charge fees or require a minimum deposit above $1. It must provide a deposit receipt on request; deposited money cannot expire, and the number of transactions cannot be limited. If the machine breaks, the store must accept cash and post a clear notice explaining this requirement and how to report violations. The state Division of Consumer Protection can set additional rules for these signs and their display. Civil penalties reach $1,000 for a first violation and $1,500 for each later violation.