Safe Access to Cash Act of 2026

Safe Access to Cash Act of 2026

This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for robberies involving automated teller machines (ATMs), including stand-alone ATMs.

Specifically, the bill prohibits the robbery or attempted robbery of a person who is using or servicing an ATM. A violation is punishable by a fine, a prison term of up to 20 years, or both.

The bill also makes it unlawful to (1) tamper with, damage, remove, or steal an ATM without authorization and remove money or property from the ATM with the intent to steal it; or (2) receive, possess, conceal, store, barter, sell, or dispose of any money or property stolen from the ATM. A violation is punishable by a fine, a prison term (e.g., up to 10 years if the value of the stolen money and property exceeds $1,000), or both.

These new prohibitions apply with respect to any ATM owned, operated, or sponsored by a bank, credit union, or savings and loan association, regardless of whether the ATM is located on the physical premises of or owned and operated by the institution.

Finally, the bill establishes enhanced penalties for ATM-related criminal offenses (or attempted offenses) that involve a forcible assault or use of a dangerous weapon (up to 25 years in prison), the forced accompaniment of another person (up to 30 years in prison), or the killing of another person (any years or life in prison).

Written by the nonpartisan Congressional Research Service. All summary versions on Congress.gov