April 22, 2026, 1:32 p.m. ET
Some states aren’t joking round about “15 items or less.”
In an effort to curb shoplifting, legislators in California, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island and Washington are discussing stricter laws on self-checkout programs in grocery and comfort shops.
Specifically, these states are wanting to enact laws that might require a stability between employee-manned and self-checkout stations, a sure variety of staff per self-checkout and/or stricter limits on the quantity and varieties of objects clients can carry by way of self-checkout. The purpose? Cut again on the variety of sticky fingers.
Self-checkout programs have been a preferred matter of debate in recent times, with some retailers phasing out all employee-operated checkouts and others, like Walmart, eradicating a lot of their self-checkouts to return to the fundamentals.
A 2026 Capital One Shopping Research research discovered that whereas 86% of customers use self-checkout stations, theft will increase up to 65% at self-checkouts in contrast to these manned by staff. More than 36 million Americans have reported stealing from self-checkout kiosks, the research discovered.
As self-checkouts proceed to be a part of the buying dialogue, this is a look on the laws on the desk throughout the nation.
What states have handed self-checkout laws?
As of April 22, no states have handed self-checkout-related laws.
What self-checkout laws are states attempting to pass?
Here’s a more in-depth look on the laws states and municipalities are wanting to – and have – handed concerning self-checkouts:
California
In February, California Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas launched SB 442, which might, if handed, require retailers with self-checkouts to have a minimum of one handbook checkout station staffed by an worker who is out there at any given time to assist a buyer at a self-checkout station. The invoice would even have established a coverage limiting self-checkouts to purchases of not more than 15 objects. SB 442 was final amended on April 21 however Smallwood-Cuevas is not shifting it ahead, her workplace instructed USA TODAY on April 22.
Though laws is probably not mandated on the state stage, some California municipalities have handed their very own self-checkout ordinances.
Long Beach and Costa Mesa have each accepted comparable ordinances to SB 442’s proposal, requiring retailers to have a minimum of one handbook checkout station staffed by an worker obtainable to help different clients. Long Beach handed its ordinance in August 2025, and Costa Mesa in February.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, three representatives launched SB 438, which, if handed, would require grocery shops with self-checkout stations to have one employee-manned checkout station for each two self-checkouts. The invoice would additionally prohibit grocery shops from working greater than eight self-checkouts at one time.
The invoice was referred to a Senate committee on April 15. USA TODAY reached out to the invoice’s co-sponsors for extra info.
Massachusetts
Similar to Connecticut’s proposed invoice, Massachusetts Sen. Paul R. Feeney launched S.237 in early 2025. If handed, the invoice would prohibit grocery shops from working greater than eight self-checkout stations without delay. Stores would even be required to have one handbook checkout station operated by an worker for each two self-checkout stations.
The invoice was final reported to a Senate committee in December 2025, in accordance to the MA Legislature website. USA TODAY reached out to Feeney for extra info.
New York
While the state of New York hasn’t handed laws concerning self-checkouts, the New York City Council is discussing the matter.
Earlier this 12 months, New York City council member Amanda Farías launched an amendment to the city code that might require pharmacies and meals retailers to impose a 15-item most on self-checkout stations. The code would additionally require shops to have one worker for each three self-checkouts.
The modification was final mentioned in March. USA TODAY reached out to Farías for extra info.
Ohio
On April 1, Ohio Sen. Thomas F. Patton launched SB 415, which might, if handed, require grocery shops with self-checkouts to function a minimum of one staff-manned checkout, assign one worker per three self-checkout stations and restrict self-checkout purchases to 15 objects.
SB 415 would additionally prohibit the sale of alcohol, tobacco and objects with theft-deterrent gadgets affixed to them at self-checkout stations.
The invoice was referred to a Senate committee on April 15. USA TODAY reached out to Patton’s workplace for extra info.
Rhode Island
In January, Rhode Island Rep. Megan Cotter launched H7290, which, if handed, would prohibit grocery stores from operating more than eight self-checkouts at once and require the identical shops to function one handbook checkout station per two self-checkouts, in accordance to the proposal. The invoice would additionally require one worker to be assigned to each two self-checkout stations for monitoring.
Washington
In Washington, HB 1739 was first launched in 2025 after which once more this 12 months. If handed, the invoice would require retailers to institute a coverage that self-checkout stations are meant for 15 objects or much less. Retailers would even be required to have one employee-manned checkout for every self-checkout and not more than two self-checkout stations monitored by one worker at a time.
The invoice was final launched within the House in January, in accordance to the Washington State Legislature web site. USA TODAY reached out to the invoice’s sponsors for extra info.
Greta Cross is a nationwide trending reporter at USA TODAY. Story concept? Email her at gcross@usatoday.com.
