S 4153 New York Senate · 2025 Regular Session

Relates to prohibiting food stores and retail establishments from refusing to accept payment in cash

This bill prohibits food stores and retail establishments from refusing cash payments for in-person purchases. It requires businesses to accept all U.S. coins and currency (excluding foreign money or checks), bans charging more for cash payments than card payments, and allows exceptions for bills over $20 or remote transactions. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,500 per offense, with specific requirements for cash-to-prepaid card devices (free, no minimum deposit, no expiration). The law directly affects retailers selling consumer goods or food on-site, ensuring cash remains a valid payment method without surcharges.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
Senate Passage
May 2025
Assembly Passage
May 2025
Signed into Law
Nov 2025
Introduced Feb 3, 2025 Signed Nov 21, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

S4153 S4153A · 6 edits
MODERATE
This bill was amended to expand its scope from all retail establishments to specifically include food stores, add detailed definitions for key terms, and introduce new exceptions and protections for cash payment. The changes strengthen consumer rights by clarifying when cash must be accepted and adding safeguards against cashless transaction fees.
Scope change
The bill now specifically applies to food stores and retail establishments, whereas the original version applied more broadly to all retail establishments and food-service establishments.
DEFINITION

Added specific definitions for 'Cash', 'Consumer commodity', 'Food store', and 'Retail establishment' to clarify what terms mean under the law.

REQUIREMENT

Added exceptions allowing businesses to refuse cash for bills over $20 or for telephone/mail/internet transactions unless the payment happens on their premises.

Added a prohibition against charging higher prices to cash-paying customers compared to those using cashless payment methods.

Added requirements for businesses that provide cash-to-prepaid card conversion devices, including receipt obligations and protections against expiration dates.

Added obligations for businesses to accept cash when their cash conversion devices malfunction and to post conspicuous signs informing customers of this requirement.

ENFORCEMENT

Increased civil penalty amounts from $250/$500 to $1,000/$1,500 for first and subsequent violations respectively.

Floor votes · Senate Apr 8, 2025 · Assembly May 29, 2025

How they voted

557
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 63
Apr 8, 2025
D Democratic41
39 Yea 1 Nay 1
95% Yea
R Republican22
16 Yea 6 Nay
72% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
5
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Nov 21, 2025
Signed into law
SIGNED CHAP.548
upper
May 29, 2025
Lower · Passed
PASSED ASSEMBLY
lower
May 29, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CODES
lower
May 29, 2025
Upper · Passed
REPASSED SENATE
upper
May 5, 2025
Upper · Passed
AMENDED ON THIRD READING (T) 4153A
upper
Apr 8, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND PROTECTION
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Upper · Passed
PASSED SENATE
upper
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
REFERRED TO CONSUMER PROTECTION
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors

Sponsors