Ohio Senate bill seeks to require businesses to accept cash payments

OHIO — Ohio lawmakers have introduced Senate Bill 30, aiming to ensure that consumers can pay with cash at retail stores.

The bill, sponsored by Senators Louis W. Blessing, III and Catherine D. Ingram, mandates that businesses accept cash for in-person transactions, prohibiting policies that require credit payments or refuse cash.

Violations would be considered unfair or deceptive practices under Ohio law, granting affected consumers legal recourse.

However, the bill outlines specific exceptions.

These include airport vendors (provided at least two food sellers in the same terminal accept cash), municipally owned parking facilities, parking facilities that only accept mobile payments, car rental companies (if they accept cashier’s or certified checks), large venues with seating capacities of 10,000 or more, and retailers offering devices that convert cash into prepaid cards without fees.

The bill has garnered bipartisan support, with cosponsors including Senators Brian M. Chavez, Hearcel F. Craig, Kent Smith, Shane Wilkin, and Al Cutrona.

If enacted, Ohio would join other states in preserving cash as a viable payment option, ensuring inclusivity for consumers who prefer or rely on cash transactions.