Safe Access to Cash Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1631
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Crime and Law Enforcement
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-23T08:05:49Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The "Safe Access to Cash Act of 2025" (H.R. 1631) aims to strengthen federal protections against ATM robberies by clarifying that automated teller machines (ATMs) and related cash are considered under the control of banks, credit unions, or savings and loan associations, even if the ATMs are not on the institution's property or directly owned by them. This expands the scope of federal bank robbery laws to better cover crimes targeting off-site ATMs.
Key Provisions
- Definition of ATM: Adds a new subsection (i) to 18 U.S.C. § 2113 defining an "ATM" as any network-connected machine linked to electronic financial networks. It allows users (via card or access device) to withdraw, deposit, or check balances in accounts at banks, credit unions, or savings and loan associations. This includes ATMs owned, operated, or sponsored by such institutions.
- Control Over ATMs and Cash: Adds subsection (j) stating that for the purposes of bank robbery laws, an ATM and any cash being transported to, loaded into, or unloaded from it is deemed to be in the "care, custody, control, management, or possession" of a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association. This applies regardless of:
- Whether the ATM is on the physical premises of the institution.
- Whether the institution owns or operates the ATM.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current 18 U.S.C. § 2113 (the federal bank robbery statute), robberies of banks or similar institutions are federal crimes, but there has been ambiguity about whether off-premises or third-party ATMs qualify as "bank property" for federal jurisdiction.
- This bill explicitly includes off-site ATMs and in-transit cash under the statute's protections, removing legal gray areas and making it easier to prosecute such crimes as federal offenses rather than relying solely on state laws.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Enhances the ability of federal law enforcement (e.g., FBI) to investigate and prosecute ATM-related crimes, potentially reducing the burden on state and local agencies for cross-jurisdictional cases.
- On Citizens: Improves public safety by deterring ATM robberies through stronger federal penalties (up to life imprisonment under § 2113 for armed robbery), making cash access more secure without restricting availability.
- On International Relations: No direct impact, as the bill focuses on domestic financial crimes.
- Overall, it could lead to fewer successful ATM thefts, benefiting everyday users of banking services.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Financial Institutions: Banks, credit unions, and savings and loan associations gain clearer legal protections for their ATMs and cash, reducing vulnerability to off-site crimes.
- Law Enforcement and Prosecutors: Federal and state authorities benefit from expanded jurisdiction, simplifying cases involving ATMs operated by third parties (e.g., independent vendors).
- Criminals Targeting ATMs: Face heightened risks of federal charges and harsher penalties.
- General Public: ATM users and depositors indirectly benefit from safer access to cash services.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Clarifies prosecutorial authority under existing bank robbery laws, potentially resolving court disputes over whether off-premises ATMs fall under federal jurisdiction. It does not create new crimes but broadens the definition of covered property.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; the bill aligns with Congress's authority to regulate interstate commerce and financial institutions under the Commerce Clause. It respects due process by applying uniformly without targeting specific groups.
- Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (sponsors from both parties), indicating broad agreement on enhancing financial security. Referred to the House Judiciary Committee, it could influence future debates on banking regulations amid rising digital payment trends.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (12)
Rep. Ivey, Glenn [D-MD-4], Rep. Fitzgerald, Scott [R-WI-5], Rep. Meuser, Daniel [R-PA-9], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Foster, Bill [D-IL-11], Rep. Ogles, Andrew [R-TN-5], Rep. Kustoff, David [R-TN-8], Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5], Rep. Moore, Tim [R-NC-14], Rep. Correa, J. Luis [D-CA-46], Rep. Gill, Brandon [R-TX-26], Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Recent Actions
- 2025-02-26: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-02-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Safe Access to Cash Act of 2025 — issued 2025-02-26 — PDF (3 pages)