Bill Introduced To Limit Self-Checkout Lanes At Rhode Island Grocery Stores

PROVIDENCE, RI — A state representative on Friday introduced a bill that would set limits on the number of self-checkout lanes at grocery stores in Rhode Island.

State Rep. Megan Cotter (D-Exter, Hopkinton, Richmond), said she introduced the bill "to start a conversation about corporations' ever-increasing use of self-checkout lanes to reduce the employment of cashiers." She also worried about customers, saying many people benefit from the social interactions they have in the community with people like cashiers.

"In addition to the frustration and inconvenience self-checkouts represent to many shoppers, this is mainly a jobs issue," Cotter said. "Self-checkouts are specifically used to reduce the number of people that stores employ, and the number of hours that their employees work. The big corporations that own grocery chains no doubt hope the public will just slowly continue to accept this effort, but I’m hoping this bill will start a discussion so Rhode Islanders have a chance to voice their concerns in a place where these corporations will hear them."

The bill (2023-H 5161) would restrict grocery stores from having more than eight self-checkout registers operating at once, and require that those with self-checkouts also have a minimum of one staffed register per self-checkout.

Additionally, the legislation would require that grocery stores give customers a 10 percent discount for checking out their groceries themselves if the order involves 10 or more items.

"Self-checkout is a way grocery stores are avoiding paying employees by getting customers to do cashiers’ jobs for free," Cotter said. "It seems only fair that if they are going to take on cashiers’ work, the customer should get something in return."

Cotter said she doesn't expect the legislation to be enacted exactly as currently written. She said she introduced the legislation as a starting point and looks forward to the public discussion that will follow.