Overview

• SB 442 cleared the Senate on a 26-10 vote and is slated for Assembly Appropriations Committee consideration after the August recess
• The proposal mandates dedicated monitors at self-checkout stations, at least one staffed checkout lane, 15-item limit signage and expanded bans on ID-restricted and security-tagged items
• Retailers warn that added staffing and compliance costs will drive up grocery prices and are lobbying to include alcohol sales at self-checkout
• The bill requires stores to notify employees and unions 60 days before adding new machines, with penalties of $1,000 per violation per day
• Opponents caution that statewide rules may spur local governments like Long Beach to enact stricter self-checkout ordinances, creating a patchwork of regulations