The "Safe Stores are Staffed Stores Act" establishes new regulations for drug retail and food retail establishments that utilize self-service checkout options. Under this act, these establishments are required to provide one employee for every four self-service checkout stations and implement a limit of fifteen items per transaction at these stations. Additionally, they must have policies prohibiting the use of self-service checkouts for items requiring identification or those with special theft-deterrent measures. Signage must be posted to inform customers of these regulations, and self-service checkout stations must be positioned for easy observation by employees and law enforcement. Furthermore, at least one employee must be assigned to monitor the self-service checkout operations during business hours.

The act also creates a private right of action for customers and employees to sue establishments for violations, with penalties of $100 per violation per employee, increasing daily up to a maximum of $1,000. It includes provisions for awarding attorney fees and court costs to prevailing parties. Additionally, the act protects employees from discrimination or retaliation for asserting their rights under this law. The act is set to take effect on November 1, 2026.