§3851. Liability for loss where safe provided

Except as provided in subsection 2, no keeper of any inn, hotel or boardinghouse is liable for the loss of or injury to any articles or property of the kind specified in subsection 1 if the following conditions are met.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

1.  Conditions.  The keeper of the inn, hotel or boardinghouse must:

A. Have constantly in his inn, hotel or boardinghouse a metal safe or suitable vault in good condition and fit for the custody of:

(1) Money;

(2) Bank notes;

(3) Jewelry;

(4) Articles of gold or silver manufacture;

(5) Precious stones;

(6) Personal ornaments;

(7) Travel tickets;

(8) Negotiable or valuable papers; and

(9) Bullion;   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

B. Keep suitable locks or bolts on the doors of, and suitable fastenings on the transoms and windows of, the sleeping rooms used by guests; and   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

C. Keep a copy of this section printed in distinct type constantly and conspicuously posted in a conspicuous place at or near the guest registration desk and in each guest room.   [PL 1995, c. 88, §4 (AMD).]

[PL 1995, c. 88, §4 (AMD).]

2.  Exceptions.  The immunity from liability under subsection 1 does not apply in the following situations.

A. The keeper of the inn, hotel or boardinghouse may be held liable when the guest has offered to deliver articles or property of the kind specified in subsection 1 to the keeper of the inn, hotel or boardinghouse for custody in the safe or vault and the keeper has omitted or refused to take the property and deposit it in the safe or vault for custody and to give the guest a receipt for the goods.

(1) The keeper of any inn, hotel or boardinghouse is not required to receive from any one guest for deposit in the safe or vault any property of the kind specified in subsection 1 which exceeds a total value of $300. The keeper is not liable for any excess of such property, whether received or not.   [PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. A, §2 (NEW); PL 1987, c. 737, Pt. C, §106 (NEW); PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §§8, 10 (AMD).]

B. Every keeper of an inn, hotel or boardinghouse is liable for any guest's loss of the articles or property listed in subsection 1 after those articles have been accepted for deposit, if the loss is caused by the theft or negligence of the keeper or any of the keeper's employees.   [PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §35 and Pt (AMD).]

[PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD); PL 1989, c. 104, Pt. C, §35 and Pt (AMD).]

SECTION HISTORY

PL 1987, c. 737, §§A2,C106 (NEW). PL 1989, c. 6 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 9, §2 (AMD). PL 1989, c. 104, §§A35,C8,C10 (AMD). PL 1995, c. 88, §4 (AMD).