Staff Reports
A proposed new law in California could stop grocery stores from offering self-checkout options in an effort to reduce theft. The bill, Senate Bill 1446, was brought forward by Democratic state Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas. If passed, it would not allow grocery or retail drug stores to have self-service checkout unless they meet certain conditions, including making sure no more than two self-service stations are monitored by one employee.
The bill also requires stores to consider how using technology like artificial intelligence might affect jobs and the important tasks of their employees. Smallwood-Cuevas stated that self-checkouts are causing $10 billion in losses and are 16 times more likely to result in losses than checkouts with cashiers. She also said that using self-checkouts makes it easier for workers to be targets for theft and violence as they are busy doing other tasks.
Some groups, such as labor unions and legal associations, have shown support for the bill. However, the California Chamber of Commerce has criticized it. They are worried that the new law might force grocers to hire more workers, which could lower their profits and might even lead to store closures. They believe that the bill is too strict in telling stores how to operate, especially in the grocery industry, where profit margins are thin.
Some people against the bill suggest an alternative solution. They propose making changes to Proposition 47, which would lessen the amount of theft needed to be considered a felony. By doing this, they believe they can better address the issue of theft in stores. One retail legal adviser, William Friedlander, said that the focus should be on changing the Proposition 47 law instead of passing the new Senate Bill 1446.
Overall, the proposed bill has sparked a debate between those who support it as a way to reduce theft and those who oppose it, believing that it may have negative effects on businesses.
