ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland shoppers will gain new protections when paying cash for essential goods beginning Oct. 1, when several other state laws affecting policing, road safety, protective orders and consumer lending also take effect.
One of the most broadly applicable measures is House Bill 191, which generally requires businesses to accept cash for in-person purchases of essential consumer goods costing less than $300.
Covered goods include food, water, hygiene products, household cleaning supplies, medicine, medical supplies, personal protective equipment and fuel. The requirement applies to transactions conducted between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m…