BILL NUMBER: S5849

SPONSOR: SKOUFIS
 
TITLE OF BILL:

An act to amend the general business law, in relation to items left by
guests of hotels or other lodging facilities

 
PURPOSE:

To require that owners/managers/proprietors of any lodging facility such
as a hotel, motel, or resort contact a guest if the guest has left an
item greater than nominal value, an identification document, or a copy
of an identification document behind after they have completed their
stay.

 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1: Amends the general business law by adding a new section 210
that the owner, manager, or proprietor of a lodging or boarding facility
must make reasonable efforts to contact a guest if the guest has left an
item greater than nominal value, an identification document, or a copy
              

of an identification document behind after they have completed their
stay. It further states that the owner, manager, or proprietor of a
lodging or boarding facility must make at least two attempts within 48
hours of the guest completing their stay using the information used to
book the stay.

Suppose a lodging or boarding facility's owner, manager, or proprietor
cannot reach the guest after making the required outreach. In that case,
they must destroy identification documents or copies of identification
documents so they cannot be replicated. States that a lodging facility
owner shall not be held liable for loss or damage to a guest's lost item
or document during storage or shipping of said item.

Section 2: Sets Effective Date.

 
JUSTIFICATION:

When guests stay in a hotel, they reasonably expect their personal
belongings and identification documents to be safe and secure.  However,
when a guest inadvertently leaves behind a valuable item or identifica-
tion document, they can suffer financial loss, identity theft, or other
adverse consequences.

This bill would require the lodging facility to notify the guest and
take steps to return the item or document to them. This bill would
promote consumer protection and ensure that hotels uphold their duty of
care to guests. Enacting such a law would also ensure that hotel owners
implement standard procedures to contact guests in case of such an
event, thus improving accountability in the hotel industry.

 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:

Senate

2023: S6884A, Referred to Consumer Protection

2024: S6884A, Referred to Consumer Protection Assembly
2023: No Assembly Same-As 2024: No Assembly Same-As

 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS:

None to the State.

 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have
become a law.