Some California Stores May Be Forced to Close Self-Checkout Lanes Under New Bill

By Trisha Andrada

May 07 2024, 05:41 AM EDT

Some California stores may be compelled to eliminate self-checkout lanes due to a new bill that changes the regulations of the service.

The proposed bill, known as Senate Bill 1446, was introduced by State Senator Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, a Los Angeles Democrat.

Some California Stores May Be Forced to Close Self-Checkout Lanes Under New Bill — Some California stores may be compelled to eliminate self-checkout lanes due to a new bill that changes the regulations of the service. DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images

Specific Criteria for Offering Self-Checkout Services in California Stores

If passed, the bill would make it illegal for grocery or retail pharmacy stores to provide self-checkout services unless the requirements are met. According to KTLA 5 News, these are the required conditions:

Only purchases of 10 items or less may be processed at self-service checkout.
Each store should have at least one manual checkout station staffed.
Some items, like alcohol and tobacco products, are prohibited from being purchased by customers.
Two self-checkout lines cannot be monitored by a single employee simultaneously.
An employee who has to monitor a self-checkout lane should be relieved of all duties.

The bill would also mandate retailers to conduct a study before introducing a new technology that might drastically affect or reduce the duties of their employees.

It also states that employers must provide workers with at least 60 days' notice before beginning the study's drafting process and that employees or their collective bargaining representatives must be provided with the study at least 60 days' notice before its implementation.

Some California Businesses Express Opposition to the Bill

Labor unions support the bill, but business organizations, including the California Chamber of Commerce, oppose it. In an open letter addressed to Smallwood-Cuevas, the group said the bill would impose unnecessary regulations on supermarkets and pharmacies that use self-checkout and autonomous retail technology.

It added that the proposed restrictions will not succeed in reducing instances of retail theft. Cities throughout the state are reportedly dealing with a spate of heinous crimes at pharmacies and grocery shops, which led to the introduction of this measure.