Executive Summary
- Revised legislation replaces a ban on hourly rates with a mandatory six-hour minimum stay to combat trafficking.
- Fines for non-compliance have been doubled to $500 for initial violations and $2,000 for subsequent offenses.
- Hotel operators must retain digital copies of guest IDs for five years and security footage for 90 days.
- Exemptions are provided for legitimate day-use amenities, such as pools, contingent on strict ID verification.
Suffolk County officials have revised a legislative proposal aimed at curbing sex trafficking by replacing a planned ban on hourly hotel rentals with a mandatory six-hour minimum stay requirement. The amended bill, expected to face a vote in mid-December, seeks to balance law enforcement objectives with the operational needs of the local hospitality industry.
Legislator Chad Lennon, the bill’s primary sponsor, told Newsday that the legislation is designed to eliminate "safe havens" for illicit activities while acknowledging legitimate business models. Under the revised terms, the fines for non-compliance have been doubled from the original proposal; violators will face penalties of $500 for a first offense and $2,000 for subsequent violations. Additionally, the bill mandates that hotel operators maintain digital copies of guest government-issued identification for five years and store security footage for a minimum of 90 days.
The updated legislation includes exemptions for hotels offering day-use amenities, such as swimming pools or cabanas, often booked through third-party applications like Dayuse and ResortPass. To qualify for this exemption, venues must strictly enforce photo identification protocols. The bill stipulates that the Suffolk County Department of Consumer Affairs will be tasked with enforcing these regulations.
Industry representatives and advocates have weighed in on the changes. Dorothy Roberts, president of the Long Island Hospitality Association, stated during public hearings that the revisions reflect a "productive conversation" that protects legitimate commerce while addressing public safety concerns. Conversely, Anne Oh, chief counsel for the Suffolk County Department of Social Services, told lawmakers that short-term rentals and poor record-keeping are "common denominators" in local trafficking cases. Stephanie Muller of the Safe Harbour program emphasized the necessity of the bill, describing previous attempts to cooperate voluntarily with some establishments as a "dead end."
Legislative Impact & Public Safety Strategy
The adjustment from a total ban to a minimum-stay requirement represents a strategic pivot in municipal governance, attempting to close regulatory loopholes used by traffickers without stifling the local tourism economy. By mandating rigorous identification logging and extending the minimum duration of tenancy, authorities aim to disrupt the high-turnover business model often associated with commercial sexual exploitation. The success of this ordinance will likely depend on the rigorous enforcement of record-keeping standards by the Department of Consumer Affairs and the continued cooperation between law enforcement and compliant hospitality operators.
