Title 5
Businesses and Professions

Chapter 14
Hotels

R.I. Gen. Laws § 5-14-4

§ 5-14-4. Innkeeper’s right to eject. [Effective until July 1, 2024.]

(a) An innkeeper may remove or cause to be removed from a hotel a guest or other person who:

(1) Refuses or is unable to pay for accommodations or services;

(2) While on the premises of the hotel, acts in an obviously intoxicated manner, destroys or threatens to destroy hotel property, verbally or physically threatens employees or guests, or causes or threatens to cause a public disturbance;

(3) The innkeeper has direct knowledge a person is using the premises for the unlawful possession or use of controlled substances by the person in violation of chapter 28 of title 21, or using the premises for the consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years of age in violation of chapter 8 of title 3;

(4) The innkeeper has direct knowledge a person has brought property into the hotel that may be dangerous to other persons, such as firearms or explosives;

(5) A person violates any federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, or rules relating to the hotel;

(6) Violates a rule of the hotel that is clearly and conspicuously posted at or near the front desk and posted online where the guest can view it before making a reservation at the hotel; or

(7) Uses verbally abusive language towards the hotel’s employees or guests. For the purposes of this chapter, verbally abusive language shall mean any language that would reasonably be found to be offensive, threatening, or demeaning.

(b) If the guest has paid in advance, the innkeeper shall tender to the guest any unused portion of the advance payment at the time of removal.

(c) Nothing in this section shall be used as a pretext to discriminate against a guest on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, age, or country of ancestral origin.

History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 238, § 2; P.L. 2022, ch. 235, § 1, effective June 28, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 236, § 1, effective June 28, 2022.

§ 5-14-4. Innkeeper’s right to eject. [Effective July 1, 2024.]

(a) An innkeeper may remove or cause to be removed from a hotel a guest or other person who:

(1) Refuses or is unable to pay for accommodations or services;

(2) While on the premises of the hotel, acts in an obviously intoxicated manner, destroys or threatens to destroy hotel property, or causes or threatens to cause a public disturbance;

(3) The innkeeper has direct knowledge a person is using the premises for the unlawful possession or use of controlled substances by the person in violation of chapter 28 of title 21, or using the premises for the consumption of alcohol by a person under the age of twenty-one (21) years of age in violation of chapter 8 of title 3;

(4) The innkeeper has direct knowledge a person has brought property into the hotel that may be dangerous to other persons, such as firearms or explosives;

(5) A person violates any federal, state, or local laws, ordinances, or rules relating to the hotel; or

(6) Violates a rule of the hotel that is clearly and conspicuously posted at or near the front desk and on the inside of the entrance door of every guest room.

(b) If the guest has paid in advance, the innkeeper shall tender to the guest any unused portion of the advance payment at the time of removal.

History of Section.
P.L. 1995, ch. 238, § 2; P.L. 2022, ch. 235, § 1, effective June 28, 2022; P.L. 2022, ch. 236, § 1, effective June 28, 2022.