36-402. Same; liability for loss or damage to property of guests limited, when. (a) No hotel or motel keeper in this state shall be liable for the loss of, or damage to, any baggage, luggage, wearing apparel, personal effects or other like property of a guest, lodger or boarder in an amount in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250), unless the same has actually been delivered by such guest, lodger or boarder, to such hotel or motel keeper, or his authorized agent or clerk in the registration office of such hotel, or motel for safekeeping, in which event a receipt for each such article shall thereupon issue or in lieu thereof such hotel or motel keeper shall assume liability in a larger amount with reference to such property.

(b) No hotel or motel keeper in this state shall be liable for the loss of, or damage to, merchandise for sale or samples belonging to a guest, lodger or boarder unless the guest, lodger or boarder upon entering the hotel or motel, shall give notice of having merchandise for sale or samples in his possession, together with an itemized list of such property, to the hotel or motel keeper, or his authorized agent or clerk in the registration office of the hotel or motel. No hotel or motel keeper shall be liable for any loss of such property designated in this subsection (b), after notice and itemized statement having been given and delivered as aforesaid, in an amount in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250), unless such hotel or motel keeper by specific agreement in writing, individually, or by an authorized agent or clerk in charge of the registration office of the hotel or motel, shall voluntarily assume liability for a larger amount with reference to such property. The hotel or motel keeper shall not be compelled to receive such guests, lodgers or boarders with merchandise for sale or samples.

(c) With respect to money, jewelry, diamonds, or other valuable stones, articles of silver and gold, tickets, certificates or other like valuables, no hotel or motel keeper shall be liable for the loss thereof or damage thereto unless the same, together with an itemized list thereof, has actually been delivered by such guest, lodger or boarder, to such hotel or motel keeper, or his authorized agent or clerk in the registration office of such hotel or motel, and the receipt thereof acknowledged by the delivery to such guest or boarder of a claim check or receipt of the hotel or motel for such property. No hotel or motel keeper shall be liable for the loss of any property specified in this paragraph (c), after delivery of such property and the receipt therefor as aforesaid, in an amount in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250), unless such hotel or motel keeper by a specific agreement in writing individually, or by an authorized agent or clerk in charge of the registration office of such hotel or motel, shall voluntarily assume liability in a larger amount in reference to such property.

(d) No hotel or motel keeper in this state shall be liable for the loss of, or damage to, any other property not heretofore described in K.S.A. 36-402, in an amount in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250), unless such hotel or motel keeper by a specific agreement in writing, individually, or by an authorized agent or clerk in charge of the registration office of such hotel or motel, shall voluntarily assume liability in a larger amount with reference to any such property.

History: L. 1959, ch. 196, § 2; June 30.