Environment
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
StateMarylandTo Governor
HB 191: Consumer Protection - Retail Transactions for Essential Consumer Goods - Cash Payments
Greg Wims
HB 191 status: To Governor — Approved by the Governor - Chapter 714 (updated May 26, 2026).
Source
OpenStates
Confidence
Low
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
01
What this bill does
Official summary alongside an AI-generated read on where it stands and why.
Overall Score
68OUT OF 100
Score:68/100 civic fit
Risk:Low Risk
Impact:Moderate Impact 40/100
Constitutionality90%
Bipartisan70%
Public opinion85%
Bill summary
What changes
Retailers in Maryland are now required to accept cash payments for essential consumer goods, specifically including groceries and medicine.
Who is affected
Maryland retailers and consumers, particularly those who are unbanked or underbanked.
Requirements and enforcement
Retailers must maintain the capability to process cash for designated essential transactions.
Costs and funding
Potentially higher operational costs for retailers due to cash management, increased insurance, and security measures.
When it takes effect
Approved as Chapter 714 on 2026-05-26.
Potential benefits
Ensures that low-income and unbanked populations maintain the ability to purchase food and medication.
Risks and tradeoffs
Increased risk of theft and security concerns for business owners; potential reduction in operational speed at checkout counters.
What is still unknown
The precise legal definition of 'essential consumer goods' and how compliance will be enforced remains largely unspecified in the summary.
02
Impact analysis
✦ AI analysisModeled effects across six domains, estimated from bill text and comparable legislation.
Economy
Positive outlook
60%
Benefits
- Increases access for cash-dependent consumers
- Supports inclusive retail commerce
- Simplifies transactions for unbanked populations
Risks
- Increases cash management costs for retailers
- Elevates security and theft risks for businesses
- Potentially slows register throughput
Society
Positive outlook
75%
Benefits
- Ensures access to essentials for marginalized groups
- Prevents discrimination against unbanked persons
- Protects social/economic participation for vulnerable residents
Risks
- Potential friction in business-consumer interactions
- Does not solve underlying infrastructure access issues
- Enforcement mechanism ambiguity
Technology Industry
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Civic Accountability
No direct effect
Neutral — no direct effect identified.
Benefits
- No material direct effect identified.
Risks
- No material direct effect identified.
Public Health & Safety
Positive outlook
70%
Benefits
- Guarantees access to essential medicines
- Ensures survival necessities for unbanked persons
- Improves public welfare for vulnerable populations
Risks
- Increased cash handling safety risks for employees
- Potential for security incidents at pharmacy registers
- No guarantee of supply chain or inventory
03
How trustworthy & consequential it is
Sourcing already shown above, this is what the analysis found worth flagging.
Source
OpenStates
Official bill text or data from OpenStates.
Confidence
Low
Information is limited or incomplete.
Analysis basis
OpenStates summary
Source used for this bill's analysis.
Source note
Does not address the security costs businesses may incur from increased cash on-site.
Analysis scope
Source provided is a summary abstract only.
04
Where it stands
Official record- IntroducedComplete
- CommitteeComplete
- Chamber votesComplete
- Final agreementComplete
- GovernorCurrent
- EnactedUpcoming
05
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06
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