2024 -- S 2271

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LC004799

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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: Senators Ciccone, F. Lombardi, Britto, and Felag

     Date Introduced: February 12, 2024

     Referred To: Senate Commerce

     It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:

     SECTION 1. Chapter 5-14 of the General Laws entitled "Hotels" is hereby amended by

adding thereto the following sections:

     5-14-4.1. Innkeeper's right to eject.

     (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;

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

desk 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 shall mean 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.

     5-14-5.1. Refusal of admission.

     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 who is not accompanied by an adult.

     SECTION 2. Sections 5-14-4 and 5-14-5 of the General Laws in Chapter 5-14 entitled

"Hotels" are hereby repealed.

     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, 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.

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     (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.

     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.

     SECTION 3. This act shall take effect on July 1, 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 extend the current provisions relative to certain rights of innkeepers and

eliminates the sunsetting of such sections thereby preserving the law as it currently exists.

     This act would take effect on July 1, 2024.

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LC004799

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