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HD 4412

An Act relative to discrimination against cash buyers

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Colleen Garry

Massachusetts HD 4412 would ban cashless policies, forcing all retail and service establishments to accept cash for every transaction, protecting cash buyers.

Senate concurred
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Bill Summary · HD 4412

Summary — An Act relative to discrimination against cash buyers (HD 4412)

Overview

HD 4412 is a proposed Massachusetts bill introduced on February 12, 2025 by Representative Colleen M. Garry. The bill seeks to prohibit cashless transactions by requiring that all retail and service establishments accept cash. The measure is intended to protect consumers who pay with cash and prevent discrimination against cash buyers.

Purpose and intent

  • To prevent discrimination against customers who pay with cash.
  • To ensure that cash remains an acceptable form of payment for all transactions at any retail or service establishment in the Commonwealth.
  • To standardize payment acceptance across all types of establishments.

Key provisions

  • The bill would amend Section 10A of Chapter 255D of the General Laws.
  • At the end of the section, the following mandate would be added:
    • “No retail or service establishment of any kind shall require the transfer of cash into electronic debit or credit cards to process transactions. All establishments shall be required to accept cash for any transaction.”
  • Effectively, the bill would prohibit cashless-only policies and obligate every establishment to accept cash for any transaction.

Affected parties

  • Retail and service establishments in Massachusetts: would be prohibited from restricting or avoiding cash as a payment method.
  • Consumers: particularly cash users, who would retain the option to pay with cash for any purchase or service.
  • Payment processors and merchants: would need to accommodate cash acceptance alongside electronic methods.

Legislative status and timeline

  • Introduced: February 12, 2025 (HD 4412 filed by Rep. Garry).
  • Initial actions: Referred to House Rules on March 27, 2025.
  • Subsequent actions:
    • June 2, 2025: Reported, referred to the Joint Rules, with rules suspended and referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure.
    • June 5, 2025: Senate concurred.
  • General court context: Classified as a proposed bill in the 194th Massachusetts General Court (2025-2026). A similar matter was previously filed as House No. 307 in the 2023-2024 session.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Consumer benefits: greater payment choice, protection against exclusion of cash buyers, and reduced risk of cash displacement by payment-processing constraints.
  • Business considerations: may impose operational adjustments for cash handling, security, storage, and cash management; some establishments argue cash acceptance can carry costs and logistical burden.
  • Enforcement and scope: the text provided does not specify enforcement mechanisms or penalties; those details would be addressed in the final enacted language or related regulations.
  • Relation to other states: aligns Massachusetts with broader national discussions about mandatory cash acceptance and cashless bans in some jurisdictions.

Notes

  • The bill would apply broadly to “retail or service establishments of any kind” within Massachusetts and adds cash acceptance to general consumer protection.
  • The exact effective date and enforcement framework would be clarified in the final enacted statute.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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