HB0191 creates a new consumer protection rule for certain in-person retail sales of essential consumer goods and services. Between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., merchants generally may not refuse cash, require a credit or debit card, or charge a higher price for a cash purchase of essential items such as food, water, hygiene products, health products, and fuel. The bill applies only to qualifying in-person retail transactions totaling at least $5 and less than $300, and it excludes several categories, including online, mail, telephone, vending machine, kiosk, restaurant-style on-premises food sales, specialty gourmet food sellers, and certain fuel purchases tied to membership programs.
The bill also limits when a merchant may refuse cash by allowing refusal of cash denominations greater than $20 and by permitting cashless conversion devices if they are maintained on-site, free to the customer, and backed up by a cash-acceptance obligation if the device fails. It allows only a limited rounding adjustment of up to 4 cents where otherwise permitted by law. A violation is defined as an unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practice under the Maryland Consumer Protection Act, making it enforceable through consumer protection remedies and civil penalties.
The bill’s impact on state law is to add a new Commercial Law section governing cash acceptance for essential consumer goods and to expand the list of unfair, abusive, or deceptive trade practices to include violations of that section. It also creates a specific enforcement framework: the Attorney General’s Division of Consumer Protection must give merchants at least two separate opportunities to comply before penalties apply, and repeat violations can trigger civil fines. The act takes effect October 1, 2026.
Overall sentiment appears favorable and noncontroversial based on the available record. The bill was enacted and approved by the Governor, and there are no committee transcripts or recorded votes in the provided materials indicating opposition or debate. The structure of the law suggests a consumer-focused compromise, balancing cash access for essential purchases with narrow exceptions for certain business models and operational safeguards for merchants.
The main points of potential contention are the scope of the cash mandate and the exceptions. Merchants may object to being required to accept cash for essential goods during specified hours, especially where they use cashless systems or want to discourage cash handling. At the same time, consumer advocates would likely support the measure as a way to preserve access for people who are unbanked, underbanked, or prefer cash, particularly for necessities. The bill’s exceptions for large bills, conversion devices, and certain retail categories appear designed to address merchant concerns while preserving broad cash access.
HB0191 adds new Section 14-1330 to the Commercial Law Article and amends the Maryland Consumer Protection Act’s unfair trade practice list to include violations of that section. It imposes a statewide rule requiring many retail establishments to accept cash for essential consumer goods and services in qualifying in-person transactions, while creating exceptions for certain transaction types and merchant categories. The bill also establishes enforcement procedures, including mandatory compliance opportunities from the Attorney General’s consumer protection office and civil penalties for repeated violations.
The available record suggests broad support and little visible controversy. The bill was enacted as Chapter 714 and approved by the Governor, and no committee transcripts or vote records were provided showing opposition, amendments in dispute, or divided votes. The overall tone of the legislation is consumer-protective, with a focus on maintaining cash access for necessities.
The likely points of contention are between consumer access and merchant flexibility. Merchants may view the cash-acceptance requirement as burdensome, especially for businesses that have moved to cashless operations or want to reduce theft, handling costs, and operational complexity. Consumer advocates, by contrast, would emphasize that cash remains essential for unbanked and underbanked residents and for people purchasing necessities. The bill’s exceptions—such as allowing refusal of bills over $20, permitting cash-to-prepaid-card devices, and excluding certain businesses and transactions—appear to reflect efforts to limit those concerns.