Oregon's New ID Scanning Law: What Changed on January 1

"Oregon stores can now swipe your driver's license or ID every time you buy alcohol or cannabis, even if you're 65 years old and clearly not a teenager trying to score beer. The change took effect January 1. It emerged after convenience stores faced lawsuits over universal ID-checking policies that violated existing law, and it has drawn criticism from privacy advocates who testified that it forces Oregonians to surrender personal data without reasonable cause."

"Current Oregon law only permits retailers to swipe your ID when there's "reasonable doubt" about whether you've reached 21 years of age. State administrative rules define this as appearing under 26 years old. Senate Bill 1005 removes that restriction entirely, allowing stores to implement universal ID-check policies in which every customer, regardless of age or appearance, must have their license or state identification scanned to purchase age-restricted products."

"The bill emerged directly from legal conflict between retailers and customers. Many Oregon convenience stores, led by chains like Plaid Pantry, had already implemented universal ID-scanning policies, requiring all customers to have their licenses or state ID cards swiped, regardless of age. These policies violated existing law, leading to two class action lawsuits challenging the practice. Rather than comply with the law, retailers lobbied to change it."

Senate Bill 1005, effective January 1, removes the 'reasonable doubt' restriction that limited ID swipes to customers who appeared under 26. Retailers may implement universal ID-scanning policies requiring every customer to have a driver's license or state ID scanned to buy alcohol or cannabis. The law followed class-action lawsuits against convenience stores that had been using universal scanning in violation of prior rules. Chains like Plaid Pantry testified that ID-scanning equipment improves compliance and prevents underage sales. Privacy advocates contend universal scanning forces customers to surrender personal data without reasonable cause. The change applies statewide and supersedes previous administrative rules.

Read at Portland Mercury