New state law requires all New York stores to accept payments in cash
Last week, State Attorney General Leticia James announced that all food stores and retail establishments are now required to accept cash payments.
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A new state law requires that New York businesses accept cash payments.
State Attorney General Leticia James says that businesses cannot deny New Yorkers necessities like food or clothing by refusing to take cash, or even charging shoppers more for paying in cash.
The law mirrors one similar to a New York City-based law that has been in effect since 2020.
"I think it's a benefit for families who don't feel comfortable using a debit card or a credit card because of fraud or the fear of that...and having cash is just accessible to a lot of our families," said Daniel Bonnet, the chief program officer with the Port Chester Carver Center.
According to James' office, the new law has a few exceptions:
Stores do not have to accept bills in denominations above $20
Stores do not have to accept cash for orders made by telephone, mail or internet, unless that transaction takes place at the store
The new law also does not apply if a store provides a device on its premises to convert cash into a prepaid card. However, the store cannot charge a fee or require that the prepaid card be loaded with a minimum amount above $1
Shoppers are urged to contact the Office of the Attorney General if they believe a store is in violation.
