HB 233 Summary

• Businesses must accept cash payments for in-person purchases of goods and services if they accept other forms of payment, and may not charge fees or impose conditions on cash acceptance.

• Exemptions include non-in-person sales (telephone, mail, internet), municipal parking facilities, parking facilities accepting electronic funds transfer, professional service providers (accountants, architects, attorneys, engineers, financial advisers, insurance agents, interior designers, software developers, consultants), and medical/allied health practitioners.

• Businesses may refuse cash denominations larger than $20, suspect counterfeit cash, or sales exceeding $5,000 in a single transaction.

• Civil penalties range from up to $2,500 for a first offense, up to $5,000 for a second offense, and up to $10,000 for a third or subsequent offense, enforced by the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

• Act becomes effective July 1, 2022.