California Bill Would Impose Restrictions on Self-Checkout

A new California bill would prohibit grocery or retail drug stores from offering self-checkout options to customers unless they comply with certain conditions, such as capping purchases at 10 items. Under Senate Bill 1446, retailers will be allowed to assign one employee to monitor two self-service checkout stations. The employee must be relieved from all other duties. The bill, proposed by Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas (D-Dist. 28), requires that establishments have at least one manual checkout station manned by one employee who is available to assist customers. Purchases at self-service checkouts would be limited to 10 items or fewer, with signage indicating this. Customers would be prohibited from using self-service checkouts to buy certain items such as alcohol and tobacco products....