Ohio requires retail merchants to accept cash payments and prohibits cashless-only sales

Original title: Require retail merchants to give customers the option to pay cash

Last action · January 29, 2025: Referred to Small Business and Economic OpportunitySponsors: Louis W. Blessing, III and 6 others

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Introduced

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What This Bill Would Do

Senate Bill 30 requires in-person retail merchants across Ohio to accept cash payments when offered by customers and bans policies that mandate credit-only transactions. Retailers violating this rule face penalties under the state's Consumer Sales Practices Act. The bill provides specific exemptions for airports, certain parking facilities, car rental companies accepting cashier's or certified checks, large sports or entertainment venues, and merchants providing free cash-to-prepaid-card conversion devices.

Why it matters

In-person shoppers who rely exclusively on cash gain the legal right to purchase goods and services at most retail locations without being forced to use credit or debit cards, while affected businesses must update payment acceptance policies or install qualifying cash-to-card conversion kiosks.

Who It Would Affect

Groups the bill's text would affect if enacted, as described in the record. Being affected is not a position for or against it.

Directly affected

retail merchants

Retail merchants conducting in-person transactions must accept cash when offered or ensure they meet specific statutory exemptions.

Directly affected

consumers using cash

Consumers gain the right to use cash for in-person retail purchases and obtain legal remedies if cash is unlawfully refused.

Key Facts

You don't have to trust us. Each fact below is taken straight from the official document - click any one to see the exact passage, highlighted in the original.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this bill apply to online or telephone purchases?

No. The bill explicitly excludes telephone, mail, and internet-based transactions, applying only to in-person retail transactions.

What happens if a retailer refuses to accept cash?

A refusal is classified as an unfair or deceptive trade practice under Ohio law, allowing injured consumers to file a lawsuit for remedies and empowering the Attorney General to enforce compliance.

Are large sports stadiums required to accept cash under this bill?

No. Sports or entertainment venues with a seating capacity of 10,000 or more are exempt from the cash acceptance requirement regardless of the event held.

What else do you want to know?

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Where This Stands

Currently in committee. The next step in the legislative lifecycle is Floor Vote.

Procedural history

2 actions

Jan 29, 2025SenateCommittee
Referred to Small Business and Economic Opportunity
Jan 22, 2025SenateIntroduced
Introduced

Version history

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