Title
Amending Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code, entitled “Fair Practices Ordinance: Protections Against Unlawful Discrimination,” by adding a new section prohibiting retail establishments from refusing to accept cash as a form of payment, all under certain terms and conditions.
Body
THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA HEREBY ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 9-1100 of The Philadelphia Code is amended to read as follows:
CHAPTER 9-1100. FAIR PRACTICES ORDINANCE: PROTECTIONS AGAINST UNLAWFUL DISCRIMINATION.
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§ 9-1132. Cashless Retail Prohibition.
(1) A person selling or offering for sale consumer goods or services at retail is prohibited from refusing to accept cash as a form of payment to purchase goods or services. A person selling or offering for sale goods or services at retail shall not:
a. Refuse to accept cash as a form of payment;
b. Post signs on the premises that cash payment is not accepted;
c. Charge a higher price to customers who pay cash than they would pay using any other form of payment.
(2) For purposes of this Section 9-1132, “at retail” shall include any retail transaction conducted in person and shall exclude
a. any telephone, mail, or internet transactions;
b. parking lots and parking garages;
c. transactions at wholesale clubs that sell consumer goods and services through a membership model;
d. transactions at retail stores selling consumer goods exclusively through a membership model that requires payment by means of an affiliated mobile device application;
e. transactions for the rental of consumers goods, services, or accommodations for which posting of collateral or security is typically required;
f. consumer goods or services provided exclusively to employees and others authorized to be on the employer’s premises.
(3) Violations of this Section shall be subject to penalties set forth in Section 9-1121(1).
(4) The Commission is authorized to promulgate and issue such regulations as are necessary or appropriate to implement the provisions of this section.
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SECTION 2. This Ordinance shall take effect July 1, 2019.
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Explanation:
Italics indicate new matter added.
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