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B26-0064 • 2025

Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025

Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025

Labor
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Henderson
Last action
2025-06-09
Official status
Under Council Review
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill text confirms the specific license types (Class C/D) and operating hours required for cashless status.

Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025

This bill allows certain bars, nightclubs, and late-night restaurants in Washington, D.C., to refuse cash payments if they post a clear notice that they do not accept it.

What This Bill Does

  • Amends the District of Columbia Official Code to create an exception for specific businesses regarding rules on accepting cash.
  • Allows retail establishments with valid Class C or Class D alcohol licenses to choose whether to accept cash.
  • Permits restaurants that operate 24 hours a day or are open at 3:00 am on at least two days per week to refuse cash payments.
  • Requires these businesses to display written, visible notice on their door or menu stating they do not accept cash if they choose this option.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Restaurants and bars holding Class C licenses that serve spirits, beer, and wine.
  • Establishments with Class D licenses that are restricted to serving only beer and wine.
  • Restaurant locations in the District of Columbia that operate late at night or around the clock.

Terms To Know

Class C license
A permit for establishments like restaurants, hotels, taverns, and nightclubs to serve spirits, beer, and wine.
Class D license
A permit for the same types of businesses as Class C, but limited to serving only beer and wine.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not force any business to stop accepting cash; it only gives them the option if they choose.
  • This legislation is currently under Council review and has not yet taken effect pending approval by the Mayor and a congressional review period.

Bill History

  1. 2025-06-09 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Public Hearing on B26-0064

  2. 2025-05-23 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Notice of Public Hearing Published in the District of Columbia Register

  3. 2025-05-20 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Notice of Public Hearing filed in the Office of Secretary by Public Works and Operations

  4. 2025-02-04 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Referred to Committee on Public Works and Operations

  5. 2025-01-31 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    Notice of Intent to Act on B26-0064 Published in the District of Columbia Register

  6. 2025-01-17 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS

    B26-0064 Introduced by Councilmember Henderson at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA The John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, nw Washington, D.C. 20004
Statement of Introduction Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025 January 17, 2025 Today, I am introducing the Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 2025, along with Councilmembers Brooke Pinto and Matthew Frumin. This legislation would permit a retail establishment with a valid on-premises Class C or Class D retailer license or a restaurant location that operates 24 hours a day or operates at 3:00 am at least 2 days a week to refuse cash as a form of payment, provided that such establishments display written, conspicuous notice to the public on the door of the establishment or menu that cash payments are not accepted. Class C license holders are establishments such as restaurants, hotels, taverns, nightclubs, and other entertainment venues, allowing them to serve spirits, beer, and wine. Class D licenses cover the same establishments but restrict service to beer and wine only. The Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act, introduced in 2018, passed in 2020, and funded in the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Support Act, prohibits retail establishments from discriminating against cash as a form of payment. However, due to public safety concerns, a provision was included in the Secure DC Omnibus Amendment Act of 2024 to temporarily pause implementation of this law. This pause was set to expire on January 1, 2025. In December 2024, the Council approved emergency and temporary legislation that carves out specific businesses from the requirements of the Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act. That emergency and temporary legislation is identical to the measure I am introducing today. Many businesses, particularly those that sell alcohol, are concerned for their employees’ safety and have shared multiple stories about successful and attempted robberies and burglaries. Businesses that are cashless are not at risk of robbery in the same way as businesses with cash on hand. When all businesses were permitted to refuse cash as a form of payment, the primary reason for this choice was to reduce the risk of robbery and burglary, followed by the availability of non-cash payment options and reducing the risk of internal theft. Additionally, consumer use of contactless payment options has surged dramatically since the initial introduction of the Cashless Retailers Prohibition Act of 2018. In 2018, there were 2.9 billion contactless transactions in the United States; by 2023, that number had increased more than sixfold, reaching 17.9 billion. The Federal Reserve's 2023 Diary of Consumer Payment Choice revealed that cash use had dropped to a near-record low in 2023, with consumers using cash 75% less frequently than credit and debit cards. Additionally, cash was the least common payment method for services at restaurants and bars in 2023.
Christina Henderson Committee Member Councilmember, At-Large Facilities Chairperson, Committee on Health Human Services Transportation and the Environment
COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA The John A. Wilson Building 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, nw Washington, D.C. 20004 The changes proposed by this measure are offered recognizing (1) changes in consumer use of payment forms post-pandemic, (2) unbanked individuals’ reliance on cash as a form of payment to obtain essential goods and services, and (3) the safety concerns of certain businesses. Under this legislation, eligible businesses would have the ability to refuse cash as a form of payment—not all businesses will choose to do so. This legislation will give Class C and D alcohol license holders the option to operate as cashless establishments if they feel it is necessary for the safety of their employees and patrons. In the coming months, I will work with Council colleagues and community partners to find a permanent solution that balances the needs of our residents, businesses, and entertainment establishment staff.
_________________________ ______________________________ 1 Councilmember Brooke Pinto Councilmember Christina Henderson 2 3 4 5 _____________________________ 6 Councilmember Matthew Frumin 7 8 9 10 A BILL 11 12 ________ 13 14 15 IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 16 17 ________________ 18 19 To amend Section 28-5404 of the District of Columbia Official Code to allow retail 20 establishments with a valid on-premises Class C and Class D retailer license to refuse 21 cash as a form of payment. 22 23 BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 24 act may be cited as the “Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Amendment Act of 25 2025.” 26 Sec. 2. Section 28-5404 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows: 27 (a) Paragraph (3)(C) is amended by striking the phrase “; or” and inserting a semicolon in 28 its place. 29 (b) Paragraph (4) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase “; or” in its 30 place. 31 (c) A new paragraph (5) is added to read as follows: 32 “(5) Provided that written, conspicuous notice to the public is displayed on the 33 door of the establishment or menu that cash payments are not accepted, to: 34

“(A) A retail establishment with a valid on-premises Class C or Class D 35 retailer license; or 36 “(B) A restaurant location, as that term is defined in § 25-101(43), that 37 operates: 38 “(i) 24 hours a day; or 39 “(ii) At 3:00 am at least 2 days a week.”. 40 Sec. 3. Fiscal impact statement. 41 The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement in the committee report as the fiscal 42 impact statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, 43 approved October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 44 Sec. 4. Effective date. 45 This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by the 46 Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional review 47 as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved December 48 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1)). 49