Adams signs new hotel safety law

November 5, 2024 Brooklyn Eagle Staff

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CITYWIDE – MAYOR ADAMS ON Monday signed legislation intended to create safer hotels for employees and visitors alike by setting stronger standards around safety, staffing and cleaning in hotels, as well as licensing requirements to help enforce worker and guest protections, according to a press release from the mayor’s office.

The new law, Intro. 0991, also known as the Safe Hotels Act, mandates that hotels must receive a license from the city and must ensure that staff — including front desk staff at all hotels and security guards at large hotels — are on-site whenever any guests are staying. Hotel operators will also be required to train employees on recognizing human trafficking and equip employees with “panic buttons.” Finally, hotels will have to clean guest rooms every day unless guests decline the service. Fines for violations could reach up to $5,000.

The hotel industry had initially fought against the new law, which in an earlier version had restricted contracting out services; most opposition was withdrawn after the bill was amended to include exemptions for many subcontractors.

Tourism has resurged under the Adams administration, compared to the pandemic period. Last year, the industry generated $74 billion in economic impact for NYC, with more than $48 billion in direct spending, supporting over 380,000 leisure and hospitality jobs; this year, the city is on track to see 64.5 million visitors.

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