California Bill Would Impose Restrictions on Self-Checkout

Stores would have to limit purchases to 10 items or fewer, assign an employee to oversee no more than two checkouts, and conduct studies of any new technology.

Shoppers place their items on the checkout counter at a wholesale distributor in Alhambra, Calif., on Sept. 12, 2023. Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

A new California bill would prohibit grocery or retail drug stores from offering self-checkout options to customers unless they comply with certain conditions, such as capping purchases at 10 items.

Under Senate Bill 1446, retailers will be allowed to assign one employee to monitor two self-service checkout stations. The employee must be relieved from all other duties.