Safe Access to Cash Act of 2025
Summary
What This Bill Does
The Safe Access to Cash Act amends the federal bank robbery statute. It defines ATM broadly as a network-connected automated teller machine terminal connected to financial networks that let depositors of banks, credit unions, or savings and loan associations access accounts with a card or access device. It then provides that an ATM and cash in transit to, being loaded into, or being unloaded from an ATM are considered in the care, custody, control, management, or possession of a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association. That rule applies regardless of whether the ATM is on the institution's premises or owned or operated by the institution. The bill makes ATM robberies and cash-loading attacks easier to prosecute under federal bank robbery law.
Who Benefits and How
ATM users benefit if stronger federal penalties deter robberies at machines away from bank branches. Banks benefit because ATMs and ATM cash receive clearer federal bank robbery protection. Credit unions benefit from the same federal treatment for their depositor-access ATMs. Armored car employees benefit if cash in transit to or from ATMs is covered by federal robbery law.
Who Bears the Burden and How
Criminal defendants face federal bank robbery exposure for ATM and ATM cash attacks. Federal prosecutors must handle more cases involving ATMs outside bank premises. Federal courts may see expanded bank robbery prosecutions tied to ATM cash loading and unloading. ATM operators must coordinate more often with federal investigators after robbery incidents.
Key Provisions
- Defines ATM for purposes of federal bank robbery law.
- Provides that ATMs are in the care or custody of covered financial institutions.
- Covers cash in transit to, loaded into, or unloaded from ATMs.
- Extends federal robbery treatment regardless of ATM location, ownership, or operation.
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Treats ATMs and cash in transit to or from ATMs as bank property for federal bank robbery law, expanding federal robbery coverage beyond ATMs located on bank premises or owned by banks.
Key Policy Areas
Criminal Justice, Banking, Public Safety
Primary Purpose
Treats ATMs and cash in transit to or from ATMs as bank property for federal bank robbery law, expanding federal robbery coverage beyond ATMs located on bank premises or owned by banks.
Policy Domains
Resolution provisions
Identified Gains
- ATM users
- Banks
- Credit unions
- Armored car employees
Identified Costs
- Criminal defendants
- Federal prosecutors
- Federal courts
- ATM operators
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeMr. Rose (for himself, Mr. Ivey, Mr. Fitzgerald, Mr. Meuser, …
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Introduced in House
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
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