The bill proposes the addition of a new chapter to Title 6 of the General Laws, which pertains to "COMMERCIAL LAW — GENERAL REGULATORY PROVISIONS." This new chapter, titled "GROCERY STORES," includes several insertions that outline the legislature's findings and declarations regarding the impact of self-service checkouts in grocery stores. The findings highlight concerns such as social isolation, particularly among the elderly, the potential for increased shoplifting and personal information theft, the reduction of labor costs at the expense of customer service, and the disproportionate negative impact on people of color who are overrepresented in cashier positions.

The bill defines terms such as "grocery store," "groceries," "manual checkout station," "retail sale," and "self-service checkout." It imposes restrictions on grocery stores, limiting them to a maximum of six self-service checkout stations operating at any one time per location and requiring at least one manual checkout station for each self-service station. The bill also outlines enforcement measures, including the authority of the consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general to enforce these restrictions and the ability for residents and employees to file complaints without fear of retaliation. Penalties for violations include fines based on the highest wage for retail clerks. The bill includes a severability clause and would take effect upon passage.