California lawmakers revive proposal to regulate self-checkout lanes

California lawmakers are again pushing to further regulate self-checkout lanes in grocery and drug stores, reviving a proposal that failed last year.

SB 442, introduced by Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles, would bar stores from offering self-checkout unless at least one staffed register is open at the same time. The bill is meant to improve workplace conditions.

The measure would also cap self-checkout purchases at 15 items and require businesses to include the technology in their workplace safety programs.

Stores would have to give employees and their collective bargaining representatives at least 60 days’ notice before introducing self-checkout.

Industry groups argue it would drive up operating costs, leading to higher grocery prices in a state that already has some of the most expensive food costs in the nation. Some have suggested allowing alcohol sales to offset any additional costs.

California is the only state in the country that bans the sale of all types of alcohol at self-checkout stations