B26-0711 • 2025

Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Labor

Active

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

Sponsor: Henderson
Last action: 2026-07-14
Official status: Under Council Review
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official text defines 'restaurant location' by referencing another law (§ 25-101(43)), but does not provide the full definition of that term in this document.

Temporary Rule Change for Cash Payments in Some D.C. Stores and Restaurants

This bill temporarily allows certain licensed retail stores and late-night restaurants in Washington, D.C., to refuse cash payments if they post a clear notice.

What This Bill Does

Amends District of Columbia law section 28-5404 on a temporary basis.
Allows specific businesses to stop accepting cash as payment.
Requires these businesses to display written, visible notices that cash is not accepted.
Sets an expiration date for the rule after it has been in effect for 225 days.

Who It Names or Affects

Retail establishments with a valid on-premises Class C or Class D retailer license.
Restaurant locations that operate 24 hours a day.
Restaurant locations that are open at least two days a week starting at 3:00 am.

Terms To Know

Class C or Class D retailer license: A specific type of permit issued by the District for certain retail businesses that sell alcohol on-site, as referenced in the bill text regarding valid licenses.
Conspicuous notice: A clear written sign displayed where customers can easily see it, such as on a door or menu.

Limits and Unknowns

The rule only lasts for 225 days after the law officially takes effect.
The bill does not take effect until approved by the Mayor and reviewed by Congress for 30 days.
Businesses must meet specific operating hours or license types to use this new option.

Bill History

2026-07-14 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS
Legislative Meeting
2026-06-30 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS
Retained by the Council
2026-06-30 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS
Legislative Meeting
2026-06-26 Council of the District of Columbia LIMS
B26-0711 Introduced by Councilmember Henderson at Office of the Secretary

Official Summary Text

Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Temporary Amendment Act of 2026

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

ENGROSSED ORIGINAL

1

A BILL 1
2
26-711 3
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5
IN THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA 6
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_______________________ 8
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To amend, on a temporary basis, section 28-5404 of the District of Columbia Official Code to 10
allow retail establishments with a valid on-premises Class C or Class D retailer license to 11
refuse cash as a form of payment in certain circumstances. 12
13
BE IT ENACTED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, That this 14
act may be cited as the “Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Temporary 15
Amendment Act of 2026”. 16
Sec. 2. Section 28-5404 of the District of Columbia Official Code is amended as follows: 17
(a) Paragraph (3)(C) is amended by striking the phrase “; or” and inserting a semicolon in 18
its place. 19
(b) Paragraph (4) is amended by striking the period and inserting the phrase “; or” in its 20
place. 21
(c) A new paragraph (5) is added to read as follows: 22
“(5) Provided that written, conspicuous notice to the public is displayed on the door of 23
the establishment or menu that cash payments are not accepted, to: 24
“(A) A retail establishment with a valid on-premises Class C or Class D retailer 25
license; or 26
“(B) A restaurant location, as that term is defined in § 25-101(43), that operates: 27
ENGROSSED ORIGINAL

2

“(i) 24 hours a day; or 28
“(ii) At 3:00 am at least 2 days a week.”. 29
Sec 3. Fiscal impact statement. 30
The Council adopts the fiscal impact statement of the Budget Director as the fiscal impact 31
statement required by section 4a of the General Legislative Procedures Act of 1975, approved 32
October 16, 2006 (120 Stat. 2038; D.C. Official Code § 1-301.47a). 33
Sec. 4. Effective date. 34
(a) This act shall take effect following approval by the Mayor (or in the event of veto by 35
the Mayor, action by the Council to override the veto) and a 30-day period of congressional 36
review as provided in section 602(c)(1) of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, approved 37
December 24, 1973 (87 Stat. 813; D.C. Official Code § 1-206.02(c)(1). 38
(b) This act shall expire after 225 days of its having taken effect. 39