The Safe Hotels Act – A Step Toward Safety or a Risk for NYC’s Hotel Industry?

New York City’s Safe Hotels Act is designed to address critical safety concerns for hotel workers and guests, but its sweeping regulations are raising concerns about the impact on the city’s hospitality sector. Introduced by Councilmember Julie Menin, the bill seeks to enhance safety protocols in hotels by requiring panic buttons for employees, direct employment for essential staff, and a mandatory hotel licensing system overseen by the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP). While the intent of the legislation is to close gaps in worker and guest protection, the financial and operational costs it could impose on hotels have drawn sharp criticism.