The bill introduced to the General Assembly addresses concerns regarding the increasing use of self-service checkouts in grocery stores and their impact on social connection, employment, and security. The findings of the General Assembly highlight that grocery stores are a primary social hub, especially for the elderly, and that self-service checkouts contribute to social isolation, increased risk of theft, and reduced labor opportunities for workers, particularly affecting people of color who are overrepresented in cashier positions. The bill proposes amendments to Title 6 of the General Laws, adding a new chapter that defines terms such as "grocery store," "manual checkout station," "retail sale," and "self-service checkout."

The bill stipulates that grocery stores shall not operate more than six self-service checkout stations at any one time per location and must have at least one manual checkout station for each self-service checkout station. The enforcement of these restrictions falls under the consumer protection unit of the department of attorney general, with fines set for violations and provisions to protect employees and consumers from retaliation when filing complaints. Additionally, the bill includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the new chapter is found unconstitutional or invalid, the rest remains effective. The act would take effect upon passage, and the consumer protection unit is tasked with enacting necessary rules and regulations.