The bill amends Chapter 5-14 of the General Laws entitled "Hotels" by adding new sections that outline an innkeeper's right to eject guests or other persons from a hotel under specific circumstances. These circumstances include the inability to pay for accommodations or services, acting in an intoxicated manner, destroying or threatening to destroy hotel property, using verbally abusive language, violating hotel rules that are clearly posted, and using the premises for unlawful activities such as controlled substance use or underage alcohol consumption. The bill also specifies that if a guest has prepaid, they are entitled to a refund of the unused portion upon ejection, and it prohibits the use of these provisions as a pretext for discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin.
Additionally, the bill allows innkeepers to refuse admission or service to individuals who exhibit similar problematic behaviors or seek accommodations for unlawful activities. It also specifies that individuals under the age of eighteen may be refused service if not accompanied by an adult. The bill repeals the previous sections 5-14-4 and 5-14-5 of the General Laws, replacing them with updated provisions that will become effective on July 1, 2024. The legislative intent is to extend the current provisions regarding innkeepers' rights and to eliminate the sunsetting of such sections, thereby preserving the law as it currently exists.