A new Maryland law taking effect October 1 will require many retailers to accept cash for in-person purchases of essential consumer goods.
Under House Bill 191, merchants generally may not refuse a cash payment, require a customer to use a credit or debit card, or charge a customer more for paying with cash for covered transactions between 6am and 10pm. The law applies to in-person retail transactions totaling less than $300 involving essential consumer goods, including:
- Food for people and animals
- Water, ice and other beverages
- Toiletries, cleaning supplies and other personal hygiene products
- Medicine, medical supplies, equipment and personal protective equipment
- Fuel
The requirement does not apply to online, telephone or mail transactions, vending machines or kiosks. Restaurants and other businesses that primarily sell food or beverages for on-site consumption are also exempt, along with retailers specializing in a limited selection of gourmet or specialty foods. Fuel retailers that require a paid membership are not required to accept cash for fuel purchases.
Businesses may decline bills larger than $20. They may also remain cashless if they provide an on-site machine that converts cash to a prepaid card without charging a fee or requiring a deposit…