New Jersey is the Latest State to Ban Cashless Stores and Restaurants

New Jersey has become the latest place to mandate stores and restaurants accept cash. On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill into law that prohibits restaurants and other brick-and-mortar businesses from refusing to accept cash as payment, effective immediately.

A recent Restaurant Business article noted that the cashless ban makes New Jersey the second U.S. state to ensure consumers always have the option of paying in cash, joining Massachusetts, which adopted a similar measure in 1978. Philadelphia also recently moved forward with legislation that banned cashless stores and restaurants around the city.

While many businesses are pivoting toward digital payment options in an effort to speed up transactions, this legislation gives voice to the counterpoint that these no-cash policies discriminate against low-income consumers who may not be able to afford a credit card or a smartphone.