Rhode Island lawmakers are moving forward with a controversial self-checkout bill that could hit major retailers with fines of up to $1,000 per day if stores fail to follow new staffing rules. The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 2342, is reigniting the national debate over automation, retail theft, and disappearing cashier jobs as chains like Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Aldi, CVS, and Walgreens brace for possible changes, according to The Sun.
Under the latest version of the bill, grocery stores would be required to maintain at least one staffed checkout lane for every three self-checkout kiosks operating in stores. The proposal also requires retailers to keep at least one ADA-compliant self-checkout station available for customers with disabilities. The legislation goes even further by requiring employees assigned to monitor self-checkout lanes for theft prevention to focus solely on that task. Workers would no longer be allowed to juggle multiple responsibilities while overseeing the machines. That detail could create major operational headaches for chains like Aldi, where employees are routinely cross-trained to stock shelves, assist customers, and troubleshoot checkout issues at the same time.
Neither Walmart, Target, nor Whole Foods immediately responded to requests for comment regarding the proposal, per reporting from outlet.
Why Lawmakers Want To Crack Down On Self Checkout
Supporters of the bill say the goal is simple: protect retail jobs and make sure customers still have access to human cashiers.
Earlier versions of the proposal were even stricter. One draft sought to cap stores at eight self-checkout lanes total while also imposing more aggressive staffing mandates. Lawmakers later revised the language to create what they described as a more manageable ratio system. Rhode Island Senate leadership has argued the legislation would improve customer service while protecting workers from being replaced by automation. In previous statements tied to similar versions of the bill, lawmakers said the measure would ensure “staffed checkout lanes are always available.”
The push also arrives as retailers nationwide continue battling theft concerns tied to self-checkout systems. Several states and cities, including New York City and Connecticut, have explored similar restrictions on automated checkout technology in recent months.
Grocery Stores Say The Bill Singles Them Out
Not everyone is sold on the proposal.
Critics argue the bill unfairly targets grocery stores while leaving other industries using the exact same technology untouched.
“This proposal is especially egregious because it specifically targets only grocery stores,” wrote Scott Bromberg, president of the Rhode Island Food Dealers Association, in testimony opposing the original version of the legislation.
“Big box retailers, along with hardware stores, pharmacies, dollar stores, fast food chains and more utilize self-checkout to allow them to deploy their staff where needed most,” Bromberg added.
Industry groups have also warned the restrictions could increase labor costs, slow checkout times, and ultimately raise prices for consumers. Shaw’s and Star Market executives urged lawmakers to reconsider the proposal, arguing the bill could hurt operational flexibility and innovation inside stores already dealing with rising costs.
Why Walmart, Target, CVS, And Walgreens Could Still Be Affected
Although the legislation mainly focuses on grocery stores, the bill’s definition of “groceries” is broad enough to potentially pull in retailers not traditionally viewed as supermarkets.
According to the bill text, groceries include raw or processed food, drinks, prescription medications, over-the-counter drugs, hygiene products, and certain household items. Any store making most of its income from those categories could fall under the law’s requirements.
That means companies like CVS and Walgreens may also have to adjust staffing and self-checkout operations if the bill ultimately becomes law.
The Bigger Battle Over Retail Automation
The Rhode Island proposal is part of a growing national fight over how far retailers should go with automation.
Self-checkout lanes exploded across major chains over the last decade as companies looked to speed up shopping and reduce labor costs. But retailers have increasingly faced complaints from customers frustrated by machine errors, longer waits for assistance, and theft concerns tied to unattended kiosks.
Some retailers have already started scaling back self-checkout programs voluntarily. Costco recently began testing assisted checkout systems in certain stores, while Walmart has limited self-checkout access in select locations following theft concerns.
Now Rhode Island lawmakers are trying to turn those operational decisions into state law.
And if the bill moves forward, grocery stores across the state could soon find themselves paying steep fines for every day they fail to comply.
