Mayor Adams Signs 'Safe Hotels Act' Into Law
The "Safe Hotels Act" faced opposition from the city's hotel industry and was revised twice by City Council Member Julie Menin (D-Manhattan), the bill's sponsor, Patch previously reported .
"Our top priority from day one has been to keep people safe, and that includes protecting workers and tourists at our city's hotels. That's why we are expanding protections for the working-class New Yorkers who run our hotels and the guests who use them," Adams said in a statement. "The Safe Hotels Act ensures that our hotels are safe, healthy, and clean, and that our tourism industry can thrive and create jobs across the city. This is a win for working people, the tourism and hotel industry, and all New Yorkers and guests."
The bill would require hotel owners to pay a $350 application fee to obtain a two-year license.
In order to be licensed, hotel operators are required to have front desk coverage at all hours and have one security guard on duty monitoring the premises.
In addition, there is the requirement for hotels to provide panic buttons to housekeepers in case of any emergency and training on how to spot human trafficking, among others.
A provision that faced opposition was the requirement that workers in housekeeping and front desk operations be directly employed, rather than employed through a subcontractor.
"The Safe Hotels Act marks a historic step towards enhancing public safety and ensuring worker protection in the city's hotel and hospitality industry," Menin said in a statement.
The Hotel Association of New York City (HANYC) dropped its opposition after changes were made to the bill, but others like the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) feel the "Safe Hotels Act" will do "irreparable harm to the city's hotel industry and tourism economy."
