B 26-0394 Legislature · 26th Council Period (2025-2026)

Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2025

This bill allows certain entertainment venues in DC to refuse cash payments, specifically targeting retail establishments with Class C or D licenses that operate 24 hours daily or open at 3:00 a.m. at least twice weekly. Venues must display clear, visible notices at entrances or on menus stating cash is not accepted. The amendment modifies existing code to add this provision as an emergency measure, effective October 18, 2025. It directly affects licensed entertainment businesses meeting the operational criteria, with no other payment methods being restricted under this law.

Bill status signed all 4 stages cleared

Introduction

Oct 2025

Committee Review

Council Passage

Oct 2025

Signed into Law

Oct 2025

Introduced Oct 6, 2025 Signed Oct 24, 2025

Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduction → Enrollment · 2 edits

MINOR

The bill was amended to expand eligibility for establishments that can refuse cash payments. Originally, only retail establishments with specific licenses could opt out of cash. The amendment now also allows certain restaurants operating 24 hours a day or at least 2 days a week starting at 3:00 am to refuse cash, alongside the existing retail establishments. This change broadens the scope of businesses protected under the Entertainment Establishment Employee Safety Extension Emergency Amendment Act of 2025.

Scope change

The bill's scope was expanded from only retail establishments with Class C or Class D licenses to include certain restaurant locations that operate late at night or around the clock.

ELIGIBILITY

Added eligibility for restaurant locations that operate 24 hours a day or at least 2 days a week starting at 3:00 am to refuse cash payments, in addition to existing retail establishments with Class C or Class D licenses.

TECHNICAL

Added formal enrollment markings and signature lines for the Council Chairman and Mayor, indicating the bill has progressed through the legislative process.

Floor votes · Council Oct 7, 2025

How they voted

12–1

Passed

Total votes 13

Oct 7, 2025

D Democratic11

10 Yea 1 Nay

90% Yea

I Independent2

2 Yea

100% Yea

Vote distribution

All Yea All Nay Mixed No data

Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions

Key actions

Committee

Oct 7, 2025

Council · Passed

Council Vote: pass (12-1)

council

Oct 6, 2025

Introduced

B26-0394 Introduced by Councilmember Henderson at Office of the Secretary

legislature

1 primary · 0 co-sponsors