Dush Legislation Preserving Cash Entrance to School-Sponsored Activities Earns Senate Approval

HARRISBURG - Sponsored by Sen. Cris Dush (R-25), legislation to require schools to accept cash as payment for entry to all school-sponsored activities, including sporting events sanctioned by the Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association, was approved (47-1) by the Pennsylvania Senate on Monday.

Although schools across the commonwealth would still be able to offer cashless payment options, under Senate Bill 1176, they would no longer be allowed to turn away anyone who does not have the ability to download an app or swipe a credit card to purchase a ticket.

"Many Pennsylvania schools now refuse to accept cash as a form of payment into school-sponsored concerts, plays and athletic events," said Dush. "While the mandatory cashless option is much more convenient for some and greatly streamlines the accounting process at the ticket office, for the elderly and others living on fixed incomes, it can make routine attendance at school-sponsored activities much more difficult or impossible."

Amended by the Senate Education Committee, Dush's legislation also includes language that would allow schools to refuse exceedingly large bills, such as a $100 bill for an activity where entry is only $1.

"In our Constitutional Republic, anyone willing to purchase a ticket with legal United States currency should never be discriminated against or denied entrance to a championship football game or any other school-sponsored activity simply because they do not possess a credit card or smartphone," emphasized Dush.

"This commonsense, dollars-and-cents-preserving legislation does not outlaw cashless ticketing, it simply requires schools to accept cash so that senior citizens who desperately wish to watch their grandchild or support another loved one at a scholastic event are never turned away for lacking the latest payment technology."

Senate Bill 1176 now advances to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for consideration.

CONTACT: Ty McCauslin, Communications Director at 717-787-7084 or [email protected].