California bill could force some stores to close self-checkout lanes

The bill, officially known as SB 1446, would prohibit grocery or retail drug stores from offering self-checkout options unless all the following conditions are met:

• Self-service checkouts are limited to purchases of 10 or fewer items
• At least one manual checkout station is staffed
• Customers are prohibited from purchasing certain items like alcohol and tobacco products
• One employee can't monitor two self-checkout lanes simultaneously
• An employee should be relieved of all duties if they have to monitor a self-checkout lane

The bill, proposed by Sen. Lola Smallwood-Cuevas, D-Los Angeles, would also require stores looking to implement the new technology that would significantly affect or reduce employees' job duties to conduct a study prior to implementation.  

Employers would also have to notify employees at least 60 days before drafting the study and employee or collective bargaining representatives with the study at least 60 days before implementation, according to the bill's text.

The bill has received support from organized labor unions and opposition from business groups, such as the California Chamber of Commerce.

"We respectfully oppose SB1446, which would place unnecessary restrictions on retail grocery and pharmacy stores implementing self-checkout and autonomous retail technologies," an opposition letter from the organization said.  

"The safety and well-being of retail employees and consumers is our top priority, but the stringent restrictions outlined in SB 1446 are misguided and unnecessary and will not reduce retail theft in stores."

The bill comes as cities across the state deal with brazen thefts at grocery stores and pharmacies.

Most recently, eight suspects were arrested after authorities discovered several million dollars worth of stolen merchandise from stores across Los Angeles County.