Kentucky Attorney General Joins Effort to Strengthen Federal Penalties for ATM Robberies

Critical piece of legislation modernizes existing laws

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman has announced he joined a 15-state coalition urging Congress to pass the Safe Access to Cash Act. This critical piece of legislation modernizes existing laws.

The Safe Access to Cash Act updates the Federal Bank Robbery Act of 1934. It will allow crimes involving ATM machines located away from banks and financial institutions to be federally prosecuted. This includes ATMs located at convenience stores, gas stations, grocery stores, and other community locations. Right now, federal law provides strong penalties for bank or other financial institution robberies but does provide consistent protection for ATMs.

“Safe and reliable access to cash is essential for millions of Americans and our laws should reflect the modernization of our society,” said Attorney General Coleman. “This legislation gives law enforcement more tools to crackdown on criminals who want to make a dishonest fortune.”

“The Kentucky Bankers Association and its member banks appreciate the efforts of Attorney General Coleman supporting the Safe Access to Cash Act.  ATMs provide Kentucky’s communities with convenient access to cash and banking services,” said Tim Schenk, President and CEO of the Kentucky Bankers Association. “While Kentucky’s banks prioritize safety operating and maintaining ATMs, criminals continue to target ATMs by physical theft and through technological means such as jackpotting.  By enforcing the same penalties as bank robberies regardless of where the ATM is located through the Safe Access to Cash Act, we hope that individuals at ATMs and the ATMs themselves will be less attractive targets for crime.”

The legislation also complements the work of state and local law enforcement by creating clear, consistent guidelines for prosecutions when ATM crimes involve interstate conduct, organized criminal networks, or repeated attacks across multiple jurisdictions.

The Safe Access to Cash Act also closes a loophole in federal law for robbing a person who is using an ATM. If passed, the bill would cover ATM theft and destruction, as well as adding additional criminal penalties – ensuring that off-premises ATMs in public settings are treated the same as bank branch ATMs.

The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously advanced the Safe Access to Cash Act in March 2026.

Kentucky joined the Georgia-led effort which includes attorneys general from: Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia.

Read a copy of the letter.