Senate Bill 230 mandates that retail sellers who operate from a physical location must accept cash as a form of payment during face-to-face transactions with consumers, unless they are legally prohibited from doing so. This requirement is outlined in the newly created statute 100.76. Retailers who fail to comply with this law will face civil forfeitures ranging from $200 to $5,000 for each violation. Additionally, the bill allows the department or a district attorney to initiate legal action to recover these forfeitures and seek injunctions against violators.
The bill aims to ensure that consumers have the option to pay with cash, promoting accessibility and inclusivity in retail transactions. By establishing clear penalties for non-compliance, the legislation seeks to enforce this requirement effectively.