Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026

26th Council Period (2025-2026) Introduced by Christina Henderson

Extends the temporary allowance for certain DC retail and late-night venues to refuse cash, with clear posted notices, until a permanent policy is set.

Resolution R26-0446, Effective from Jun 30, 2026 Published in DC Register Vol 73 and Page 009454

Overview

PR 26-0750, the Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Emergency Declaration Resolution of 2026, is a proposed emergency measure in the District of Columbia Council. Its purpose is to extend the temporary and emergency allowances for certain retail establishments to refuse cash as a payment method under specified conditions, while a related permanent bill is pending. The resolution is sponsored by Councilmember Christina Henderson (co-sponsored by Henderson).

Purpose and intent

To declare an emergency and extend the applicability of an emergency/temporary provision allowing certain businesses to refuse cash payments.

Specifically targets retail establishments with valid on-premises Class C or Class D retailer licenses, or 24-hour restaurant locations (or those open at least 3:00 am, at least 2 days per week).

The goal is to balance safety concerns for vulnerable businesses with the evolving landscape of consumer payment preferences post-pandemic.

Key provisions

Authorized entities: Retail establishments with on-premises Class C or Class D licenses; or restaurants open 24 hours or at least 3:00 am two or more days weekly.

Payment policy: May refuse cash as a form of payment.

Notice requirement: Must display written, conspicuous notice to the public on the door of the establishment or on its menu indicating that cash payments are not accepted.

Temporal scope: This is an extension of emergency/temporary measures that were originally approved in late 2024 and extended multiple times. The current measure extends applicability while the permanent bill (introduced January 17, 2025; hearing June 9, 2025) remains under consideration.

Relationship to prior law: The emergency/t temporary measures align with provisions previously approved by the Council on December 17, 2024 and October 7, 2025. Law 26-77 (Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Temporary Amendment Act of 2025) expires on August 13, 2026; this resolution ensures continued operation of the payment-refusal allowance during the interim period.

Affected parties

Businesses: Retail establishments with Class C or Class D licenses; 24-hour or late-night (3:00 am) restaurant locations.

Consumers: Patrons paying for goods/services at these establishments, particularly those who rely on cash.

Employees: The resolution relates to safety considerations for employees in entertainment establishments, consistent with the broader policy objectives of the related temporary amendment act.

Procedural and timeline aspects

This is an emergency declaration allowing continuation of the cash-refusal policy for specified businesses.

The measures are framed as temporary/emergency extensions to bridge the gap pending the approval of the permanent bill being considered in Committee (Public Works and Operations).

Effective date: The resolution states that it shall take effect immediately.

Background timing: The emergency and temporary measures have a multiyear history, with origin in 2024, reintroduced and extended in 2025, and an expiry tied to Law 26-77’s sunset in August 2026. This resolution preserves the policy until the permanent framework is enacted or the emergency ends.

Summary in plain terms

The resolution keeps in place, for qualifying venues, the option to stop accepting cash, provided clear notices are posted.

It is framed as an emergency measure to maintain business and employee safety while a permanent policy is debated.

It imposes a visible notice requirement to inform the public about cash-not-accepted policies.