No blanket ban on self-checkout is established by New York City’s proposal. Int. 0729-2026 would instead require staff supervision and cap purchases at 15 items at certain pharmacies and food retailers. The City Council record lists the bill as in committee, not as a law in force.
What is the New York City “scan” bill?
New York City Council Int. 0729-2026 was introduced and referred on March 10, 2026. The Council’s record lists its status as “Committee.” It is a proposal, not an enacted city law; the record shows no enactment date or law number. See the New York City Council bill record.
The bill would regulate self-service checkout rather than prohibit it. Its definition covers an automated in-store kiosk process for scanning, bagging and paying without human assistance.
Staffing and item-limit requirements
- A covered store offering self-service checkout would have to assign at least one employee to supervise the area while it is operating.
- Where an area has four or more kiosks, the proposal would require one employee for every three kiosks.
- Covered businesses would have to establish, implement and advertise a maximum of 15 items per self-checkout purchase.
The introduced text makes violations subject to civil penalties. It sets a $100 penalty per employee, with increases for continuing violations that remain uncured, up to $1,000 per employee per day. If enacted, the bill would take effect one year after enactment.
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Which stores would the proposal cover?
The bill’s definitions limit its reach; it would not automatically apply to every retailer in New York City. Its pharmacy definition includes a retail store that contains a pharmacy. Its food-retail definition covers either a store larger than 15,000 square feet that primarily sells household food for offsite consumption, or a store larger than 85,000 square feet with at least 10% of sales-floor area devoted to food categories. The definitions and introduced text are in the Council’s bill materials.
Do Walmart shoppers have to use self-checkout?
No. Walmart’s corporate FAQ says customers who prefer a cashier can use cashier checkout. It also says Walmart+ members can use mobile Scan & Go in participating stores. See Walmart’s self-checkout FAQ.
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Scan & Go is distinct from a self-checkout kiosk: members scan items while shopping and complete the transaction through the store’s checkout process. Walmart’s terms require accurate scanning and allow the company to check items, require rescanning or removal, and change, suspend or end the feature. Details are in the Walmart+ Terms of Use.
These company materials do not establish a universal Walmart self-checkout ban or confirm the current checkout setup at every location. Store practices and Scan & Go availability can vary.
How to read the “blanket ban” claim
The headline overstates what the bill proposes. A ban would prevent self-checkout; this proposal would allow it under staffing and item-count conditions at businesses within its definitions. It is also a proposed city requirement, not a chain-wide Walmart policy. The Council record’s committee status means shoppers should not treat these provisions as rules already in effect.
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