California Considers Bill That Regulates Self-Checkout Lanes

Advances in technology move rapidly, oftentimes faster than laws are made to regulate them. That currently seems to be the case with self-checkout lanes at grocery stores, which have existed for decades but have somehow managed to avoid regulation.

According to NBC Bay Area, California lawmakers are looking to change that with the new Senate Bill 1446. If passed, it would require grocery stores to meet specific criteria in order to have self-checkout lanes. The criteria are as follows:

• Checkouts are limited to 10 items or less
• At least one manual staffed checkout station is available
• Customers are prohibited from purchasing certain items
• An employee can only monitor up to two self-service stations
• Employee is relieved from all other duties while monitoring

Stores that use artificial intelligence would also be required to pass an assessment before the technology can be used. There’s been an uptick in theft at self-checkout lanes, with many workers sharing instances in which customers have brazenly stolen items. Talking to NBC Bay Area about her experience working at Lucky’s in Pinole, CA, Letizia Costa said, “I have also observed customers who just walk through the self-checkout area when there are no workers and they just walk out with their items.”

She further added that in February she witnessed three women stealing items and after calling 911 in response, the women physically assaulted her. “Because of this incident, I’m terrified to report any incidents of theft,” Costa said. The issue seems to stem from a staffing shortage. The bill would require that self-checkout lanes be monitored by dedicated employees that are given that sole task. Currently, employees are given multiple tasks which oftentimes leaves self-checkout lanes unmonitored. 

“This act will protect workers and the public by ensuring safe staffing levels at grocery and drug stores and regulating self-checkout machines in a way that’s being smart on crime,” said Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles to NBC Bay Area.

Though the bill has received support from the UFCW union and multiple labor groups, the California Chamber of Commerce and California Retailers Association oppose it, saying that it does not offer enough protection for employees and customers. Instead, the two entities plan to support a Governor-backed package of bills that supposedly provides a more comprehensive solution to retail theft. It includes consequences for serial shoplifters. 

Senate Bill 1446 is currently being reviewed by the Appropriations Committee in Sacramento, after which it will go before the Senate for approval.