The Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025, introduced by Councilmember Christina Henderson and co-sponsored by Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Matthew Frumin, aims to allow retail establishments with valid on-premises Class C or Class D licenses, as well as certain restaurants, to refuse cash payments. This legislation is a response to public safety concerns, particularly for businesses that sell alcohol, which have reported incidents of robbery and burglary. Under the proposed law, these establishments must display a written notice indicating that cash is not accepted, thereby providing them the option to operate as cashless businesses if they deem it necessary for the safety of their employees and patrons.

The bill amends Section 28-5404 of the District of Columbia Official Code, specifically by adding a new paragraph that permits the refusal of cash payments under certain conditions. It also includes amendments to existing paragraphs to facilitate this change. The introduction of this legislation follows a temporary pause on the Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act, which was initially set to expire on January 1, 2025. The Council's decision to allow cashless operations reflects a significant shift in consumer payment preferences, with a notable increase in contactless transactions and a decline in cash usage.