CA Bill Takes Aim at Self-Checkout

A proposed state law could force some California stores to do away with self-checkout, reports ABC 7.

Senate Bill 1446 would regulate self-checkouts to help boost employment at grocery stores and pharmacies while addressing the retail theft that occurs at the kiosks, according to the report. 

A report from NBC Bay Area explains that the legislation would prohibit the use of self-checkouts in certain locations unless all of the following are met: 

• Checkouts are limited to 10 items or less

• At least one manual staffed checkout station is available

• Customers are prohibited from purchasing certain items at the kiosks

• An employee can only monitor up to two self-service stations

• Employee is relieved from all other duties while monitoring kiosks

"The hope is that we can reduce the amount of theft that happens. That's a much better solution than punishing theft after it occurs," said Cristine Soto DeBerry, founder and executive director of Prosecutors Alliance of California.

The California Chamber of Commerce opposes the legislation over concerns it can hurt business.

"In part, [the bill is] codifying some requirements that I think, from our perspective, are a little heavy-handed, as far as getting down into the granularity of how business or a store needs to operate," said Ashley Hoffman, senior policy advocate of California Chamber of Commerce. "For example, the grocery space, where they're operating on pretty thin margins… When you're having to make these drastic adjustments or adjust staffing ratios, that can be a big cost impact." Full Story