Abstract: A first bill feeding plate 33 and a second bill feeding plate 34 cooperatively constitute a bill feeding passage 31 of a bill discrimination apparatus 1. The first bill feeding plate 33 is formed at a bottom of a casing 67, which is swingably supported on the second bill feeding plate 34 through a hinge shaft 36. An opening lever 82, having an engaging hook 83 and an operating projection 84, is swingably supported at a distal end of the casing 67. The first bill feeding plate 33 is fixed to the second feeding plate 34 when the engaging hook 83 is engaged with an engaging piece 94. Pulling up the operating projection 84 causes the opening lever 82 to start a swing motion about a bearing piece 87.This causes the engaging hook 83 to separate from the engaging piece 94, and the casing 67 rotates in a counterclockwise direction. Thus, the first bill feeding plate 33 separates from the second bill feeding plate 34 to widely open the bill feeding passage.