A proposed law would require hotels to get guest IDs
Many Ocean City business leaders are speaking out in opposition to a proposed law that would fine hotels if they don’t obtain photo IDs from their guests.
Susan Jones, the executive director of the city’s Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association told Eastern Shore News that her group "unanimously opposed the idea" because it was "too intrusive."
The bill would fine hotels or motels $1,000 if they didn’t have guests show their ID when checking in.
Authorities view the proposal as a matter of public safety.
Police chief Bernadette DePino told the paper that the bill would help identify any guest suspected of a crime, and also improve security.
Other provisions would require guests to register their license plates with the hotel, and display parking passes in their vehicles at all times.
Jones said that many hotels don’t issue parking passes because they cost hundreds of dollars to print.
The town council had been set to debate the proposal this week, but postponed it without discussion.
The Maryland Office of Tourism says travel brings more than $14 billion dollars a year into the state, and generates more than 140,000 jobs.
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