HB 1321

Bill Subjects

Abstract

Requires a merchant that: (1) offers for sale, lease, or rent; or (2) sells, leases, or rents; goods and services to the public for a profit in Indiana to accept cash as payment for such transactions. Provides that a merchant may offer to a customer who is owed change in a cash transaction the option to do either of the following, but may not require the customer to do either of the following: (1) Receive the change in the form of a gift card, gift certificate, or store credit. (2) Donate an amount: (A) equal to part or all of the amount of the change owed; or (B) exceeding the amount of the change owed; to a charity. Provides that the following apply to a merchant that chooses to make one or more of these options available to customers: (1) If a customer does not choose one of these options, the merchant must provide to the customer in cash an amount equal to at least the amount of change owed to the customer, regardless of whether the merchant is able to provide the customer the exact amount of change owed. (2) The merchant must provide certain specified forms of notice informing customers of the options available for receiving change in a cash transaction, including a customer's right to receive in cash at least the amount of change owed. Provides that the provisions do not apply to a sports or entertainment venue if cash is accepted in exchange for a debit card or other cash equivalent point of sale. Provides that the provisions do not apply to a transaction conducted by telephone, through the mail, or over the Internet. Provides that a person that violates any of these requirements: (1) commits a deceptive act that is actionable by the attorney general or by a consumer under the deceptive consumer sales act (act); and (2) is subject to the remedies and penalties under the act.