# Business Regulation (GBR)

## Title 15. Lodging Establishments

### Subtitle 2. Rights and Responsibilities of Innkeepers

#### Section 15-201

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Innkeeper" means the owner, operator, manager, or keeper of a lodging establishment, or the agent of an owner, operator, manager, or keeper of a lodging establishment.

(c) "Lodging establishment" means an inn, hotel, motel, or other establishment that has at least four rooms available for a fee to transient guests for lodging or sleeping purposes.

#### Section 15-202

Except as provided in this subtitle for an individual who is under the age of 21 years, this subtitle may not be construed to alter the prohibition against discrimination by an innkeeper or lodging establishment under Title 20, Subtitle 3 of the State Government Article.

#### Section 15-203

(a) An innkeeper may refuse to provide lodging or services to or may remove from a lodging establishment an individual who:

  (1) refuses to pay or is unable to pay for lodging or services;

  (2) while on the premises of the lodging establishment is under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other intoxicating substance so as to create a public nuisance;

  (3) while on the premises is disorderly so as to create a public nuisance;

  (4) destroys, damages, or defaces property of the lodging establishment or its guests, or threatens to do so;

  (5) the innkeeper reasonably believes is using the lodging establishment for the unlawful possession or use of a controlled dangerous substance in violation of Title 5 of the Criminal Law Article or for the consumption of alcohol by an individual under the age of 21 years in violation of Sec. 6-304, Sec. 6-307, Sec. 6-308, or Sec. 6-309 of the Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article;

  (6) the innkeeper reasonably believes possesses property that may be dangerous to other individuals, such as firearms or explosives; or

  (7) refuses to abide by any conspicuously posted rule or policy of the lodging establishment.

(b)

  (1) If an innkeeper seeks to remove an individual from a lodging establishment as provided under this section, the innkeeper shall:

    (i) notify the individual, either orally or in writing, that the lodging establishment refuses to provide further lodging or services to the individual and that the individual should immediately leave the lodging establishment; and

    (ii) if the individual has paid for lodging or services in advance, refund any unused portion of the advance payment, but the lodging establishment may withhold payment for a full day's lodging if the individual was lodged for a portion of a day.

  (2) If an individual attempts to remain in a lodging establishment after having been requested to leave under the provisions of this section, an innkeeper may:

    (i) if the individual is a guest, lock the door of the individual's room;

    (ii) remove the individual's baggage and other personal property; and

    (iii) using no more force than necessary, eject the individual from the lodging establishment.

#### Section 15-204

(a) An innkeeper may require a prospective guest to demonstrate an ability to pay by cash or valid credit card.

(b) An innkeeper may require each guest at a lodging establishment to register and may require the guest to produce:

  (1) a valid driver's license;

  (2) a valid uniformed services identification card;

  (3) a valid passport; or

  (4) any valid government issued identification card.

(c) An innkeeper may limit the number of individuals who may occupy a particular guest room in a lodging establishment.

#### Section 15-205

(a) For an individual who is under the age of 18 years, an innkeeper may require a parent or guardian of the individual to:

  (1) accept liability for the charges for the individual's lodging and any damages to the lodging establishment caused by the individual; and

  (2) provide a valid credit card or make an advance cash damage deposit of not more than $500 to cover any charges incurred or damages caused by the individual.

(b) If an innkeeper requires an advance deposit under subsection (a) of this section, the innkeeper shall, following a room inspection at the time of checkout, refund any amount of the deposit not needed to cover reasonable charges for damages.

#### Section 15-206

An innkeeper shall post a copy of this subtitle, together with all rules of the lodging establishment, in a conspicuous place at or near the guest registration desk and in each guest room.

#### Section 15-207

(a)

  (1) The Department shall design a sign that states the following:

  "REPORT HUMAN TRAFFICKING: National Human Trafficking Resource Center -- 1-888-373-7888. CALL FOR HELP IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW:

  ?  Is being forced to have sex without consent 

  ?  Has had an ID or documents taken away

  ?  Is being threatened by or is in debt to an employer

  ?  Wants to leave a job but cannot freely do so. 

  TOLL-FREE.  24/7.  CONFIDENTIAL.  INTERPRETERS AVAILABLE.

  This sign is required under State law."

  (2) The sign shall:

    (i) be at least 3 by 5 inches in size;

    (ii) contain the text required under paragraph (1) of this subsection in English, Spanish, and any other languages required by the federal Voting Rights Act;

    (iii) draw attention to the phone number of the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline by showing the phone number in bold type; and

    (iv) be placed on the Department website.

(b)

  (1) A State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency may issue a civil citation to a lodging establishment requiring it to post prominently in each guest room for 1 year the sign that is identical to the notice required to be placed on the website of the Department under subsection (a) of this section, if the lodging establishment is located on property where arrests leading to convictions for prostitution, solicitation of a minor, or human trafficking under Title 3, Subtitle 11 of the Criminal Law Article have occurred.

  (2) A State, county, or municipal law enforcement agency shall consider any assistance it receives from a lodging establishment in an investigation leading to a conviction under paragraph (1) of this subsection in determining whether to issue a citation under this subsection.

(c)

  (1) The owner of a lodging establishment that violates subsection (b)(1) of this section is subject to a civil penalty not exceeding $1,000.

  (2) Each guest room that does not have a sign is not a separate violation.

#### Section 15-208

(a) In this section, "accessible room" means a room in a lodging establishment that is required to be in compliance with the transient lodging requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

(b) Subject to subsection (c) of this section, each accessible room in a lodging establishment shall be furnished with a bed that:

  (1) measures at least 20 inches but not more than 23 inches high from the floor to the top of the mattress, whether or not the mattress is compressed; and

  (2) has at least a 7-inch vertical clearance under the bed for lift access.

(c)

  (1) Beginning December 31, 2022, each lodging establishment shall furnish at least 25% of the lodging establishment's accessible rooms with a bed that meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

  (2) Beginning December 31, 2023, each lodging establishment shall furnish at least 50% of the lodging establishment's accessible rooms with a bed that meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

  (3) Beginning December 31, 2024, each lodging establishment shall furnish at least 75% of the lodging establishment's accessible rooms with a bed that meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

  (4) Beginning December 31, 2025, each accessible room in a lodging establishment shall be furnished with a bed that meets the requirements of subsection (b) of this section.

#### Section 15-209

(a) An innkeeper shall establish and maintain a computerized record-keeping system of all guest transactions and receipts.

(b) A record maintained in accordance with this section shall be retained by the innkeeper for not less than 6 months after the date of the creation of the record.

#### Section 15-210

(a)

  (1) The Governor's Office of Crime Prevention and Policy and the Department shall approve educational training programs for the accurate and prompt identification and reporting of suspected human trafficking.

  (2) A training program approved under this subsection must include a video presentation that:

    (i) defines:

      (1) exploitation of a child; and

      (2) human trafficking; and

    (ii) offers guidance to employees of innkeepers on:

      (1) recognizing potential victims of human trafficking;

      (2) the differences between labor and sex trafficking that are specific to the hotel industry;

      (3) activities commonly associated with human trafficking; and

      (4) the role of employees in reporting and responding to human trafficking.

(b)

  (1) An innkeeper shall provide a new employee of the lodging establishment with the annual training described in subsection (a) of this section within 90 days after the date the employee is hired.

  (2)

    (i) Except as provided in subparagraph (ii) of this paragraph, on or before October 1, 2023, and each October 1 thereafter, an innkeeper shall certify to the Department that all employees of the lodging establishment have received the annual training prescribed by this section.

    (ii) The requirement under this paragraph does not apply to an employee for whom fewer than 90 days have elapsed since the date the employee was hired.

(c) An innkeeper shall:

  (1) establish a procedure for reporting potential instances of human trafficking by:

    (i) an employee to the innkeeper; and

    (ii) the innkeeper to:

      (1) law enforcement; or

      (2) the National Human Trafficking Resource Center Hotline;

  (2) implement a human trafficking prevention policy for the innkeeper's employees that includes how to:

    (i) recognize potential victims of human trafficking;

    (ii) respond to an individual who may be or is a victim of human trafficking; and

    (iii) connect an individual who may be or is a victim of human trafficking with any available resources; and

  (3) post prominently the sign developed by the Department under Sec. 15-207 of this subtitle in a location conspicuous to the innkeeper's employees.

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Md. Code Ann., Bus. Reg. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)