Prohibits certain lodging facilities from offering hourly rate options

◆ The sponsor's argument

Why Steve Rhoads says this is needed

According to the Hofstra Law Review, sex trafficking in New York State hotels is highly prevalent, with up to 44% of sexually exploited youth in NYC exploited in hotels and 79% of trafficking victims nationwide reporting hotel-based exploitation. It occurs across all hotel types, from budget motels to high-end brands. This includes sexual exploitation and trafficking of minors.Sex trafficking can "masquerade" as other offenses and take many forms such as prostitution, pornography, strip- ping, escort services, and erotic massages. While New York State has enacted numerous laws aimed at stopping these vile criminal acts, hotels and motels continue to be easy access points due to their relative privacy, availability for short stays and tran- sient nature. This legislation would prohibit "lodging facilities" with- in the State of New York, defined as any inn, hotel, motel, motor court or other establishment which provides lodging to transient guests from offering an hourly rate option for less than six hours in duration for rooms with sleeping accommodations. By requiring payment for a minimum six-hour stay, it is hoped this bill would increase the cost of, and lessen the opportunity to, utilize lodging facilities for criminal activity.

This is the sponsor's own case for the bill, quoted from their memorandum. It is not Agora's description of what the bill does.