2024 -- H 7065

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LC003755

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2024

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A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOTELS

     Introduced By: Representatives Bennett, DeSimone, Finkelman, McEntee, McNamara,
Fogarty, Serpa, Boylan, Cortvriend, and Edwards

     Date Introduced: January 05, 2024

     Referred To: House Small Business

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Sections 5-14-4 and 5-14-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-14 entitled

"Hotels" are hereby amended to read as follows:

     5-14-4. Innkeeper’s right to eject. [Effective July 1, 2024.]

     (a) An innkeeper may remove or cause to be removed from a hotel a guest or other person

who:

     (1) Refuses or is unable to pay for accommodations or services;

     (2) While on the premises of the hotel, acts in an obviously intoxicated manner, destroys

or threatens to destroy hotel property, verbally or physically threatens employees or guests, or

causes or threatens to cause a public disturbance;

     (3) The innkeeper has direct knowledge a person is using the premises for the unlawful

possession or use of controlled substances by the person in violation of chapter 28 of title 21, or

using the premises for the consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of twenty-one (21)

years of age in violation of chapter 8 of title 3;

     (4) The innkeeper has direct knowledge a person has brought property into the hotel that

may be dangerous to other persons, such as firearms or explosives;

     (5) A person violates any federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, or rules relating to the

hotel; or

     (6) Violates a rule of the hotel that is clearly and conspicuously posted at or near the front

desk and on the inside of the entrance door of every guest room and posted online where the guest

can view it before making a reservation at the hotel; or

     (7) Uses verbally abusive language towards the hotel's employees or guests. For the

purposes of this chapter, "verbally abusive language", means any language that would reasonably

be found to be offensive, threatening, or demeaning.

     (b) If the guest has paid in advance, the innkeeper shall tender to the guest any unused

portion of the advance payment at the time of removal.

     (c) Nothing in this section shall be used as a pretext to discriminate against a guest on the

basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age,

or country of ancestral origin.

     5-14-5. Refusal of admission. [Effective July 1, 2024.]

     An innkeeper may refuse to admit or refuse service or accommodations to a person who:

     (1) While on the premises of the hotel, acts in an obviously intoxicated manner, destroys

or threatens to destroy hotel property, or causes or threatens to cause a public disturbance.

     (2) The innkeeper has direct knowledge a person is seeking accommodations for the

unlawful possession or use of controlled substances in violation of chapter 28 of title 21 or the use

of the premises for the consumption of intoxicating liquor by a person.

     (3) A person under the age of eighteen (18) years if they are not in proper condition or are

unable to pay for their charges who is not accompanied by an adult.

     SECTION 2. This act shall take effect on July 2, 2024.

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EXPLANATION

BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL

OF

A N   A C T

RELATING TO BUSINESSES AND PROFESSIONS -- HOTELS

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     This act would make permanent certain changes regarding hotel rules and guests, which

changes were set to sunset on July 1, 2024. These include requiring online posting of hotel rules

and expand the authority of the innkeeper to eject a person for being verbally abusive or physically

threatening to an employee or hotel guest. It would also permit refusal of service to a person under

the age of eighteen (18) years unless accompanied by an adult.

     This act would take effect on July 2, 2024.

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