On November 4, 2024, NYC Mayor Eric Adams signed into law the Safe Hotels Act (Int. No. 991-C) aiming to promote hotel safety and boost tourism. The Act, taking effect May 3, 2025, requires hotel licenses, restructuring of employment agreements, and a number of new staffing requirements.
Hotel License Requirements
Hotel operators defined as persons who own, lease, or manage a hotel, and control day-to-day operations, must obtain a hotel license from the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DWCP) to legally operate a hotel. Hotel operators must file an application with the Commissioner of the DWCP to obtain a license. The application must contain contact information as well as details of safeguards and procedures which show the hotel is in compliance with the Act’s staffing, safety, employment, and cleanliness requirements.
The application will differ if the operator has a collective bargaining agreement (CBA) with a union. If the operator has a CBA which contains the required information and references the CBA in their application this may satisfy the Acts notification rules. The notification requirement will be satisfied for the term of the CBA or 10 years from the date of the application (whichever is longer). The commissioner must be notified if there are changes to the CBA which remove references to the Act’s requirements.
The hotel license may be denied or revoked if operators fail to comply with the Act, however there are a number of notice requirements for the Commissioner prior to revoking a license.
- The Commissioner must notify the licensee of a potential revocation in writing.
- The licensee must be given 30 days from the notification to remedy the violation and this notice must be in writing.
- A license will not be revoked if it can be demonstrated that the condition has been resolved in the 30-day period. Evidence of this correction can be delivered electronically or in person.
- Upon the Commissioner’s decision, the licensee has 15 days to request a review of the decision.
A license will not be revoked in the following situations: service disruptions such as construction work noise; conditions that the hotel is aware of and treats within 24 hours such as bed bugs, rodents, etc.; unavailability of hotel amenities for a period of 48 hours; unavailability of utilities for a period of 24 hours; and importantly any strike, picketing, lockout, or demonstration at or by the hotel.
Hotel operators must display their license in a public area.
Employment Agreement Requirements
The Act requires hotel owners, with 100 or more guest rooms, “directly employ” all “core employees”, except a single hotel operator to manage operations on the owner’s behalf. This rule effectively eliminates intermediaries such as staffing agencies or management companies. Core employees include those whose work relates to housekeeping, front desk, or front service. Valets, maintenance workers, parking security, and employees mostly working with food and beverages are not considered core employees.
This provision greatly impacts employers who utilize subcontractors; however some contracting agreements may be grandfathered in if they are entered into prior to the effective date and have a specific termination date.
Violating this provision may serve as the basis of license revocation.
Staffing Requirements
In order to maintain safe conditions for guests and hotel workers, the Act implements a number of new staffing requirements.
- One employee must provide front desk coverage at all times (during night shifts a security guard who has received human trafficking training may take this employee’s place).
- Hotels with more than 400 guest rooms must have a minimum of one security guard providing continuous coverage while any room is occupied.
- Hotels must maintain cleanliness and not impose fees for daily room cleaning.
- Core employes must receive training on how to identify human trafficking within 60 days of employment.
- Hotels must not accept reservations for less than 4 hours.
Penalties and What Else Employers Need to Know
Hotel operators are strictly prohibited from retaliating against any employee who discloses a potential violation or assists in an investigation. Hotel operators are also prohibited from retaliating against employees who refuse to partake in a dangerous activity that is not part of their job.
As previously discussed, noncompliance can result in a hotel operator’s license being revoked, but that is not all. Anyone alleging a violation can seek a civil action within 6 months of the alleged violation. Furthermore, the Act provides for civil penalties which vary based on the number of violations: $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, $2,500 for a third, and $5,000 for subsequent violations.
The Commissioner is expected to issue rules by which this law will be enforced. A timetable for their issuance has yet to be set.
Brody and Associates regularly advises management on complying with the latest local, state and federal employment laws. If we can be of assistance in this area, please contact us at info@brodyandassociates.com or 203.454.0560
