STANDARD COMPETENCIES:

 

 I.      Describe the development of rules regarding the rights and liabilities of innkeepers under the common law system, as well as the ways in which contract law, tort law, and negligence law affect the hotelkeeper.

 II.     Describe a hotel`s duty under the common law to receive guests and the circumstances under which it can refuse to accommodate potential guests or can evict guests or others.

 III.    Explain a guest`s right to privacy and a hotel`s affirmative duty not to allow unregistered and unauthorized third parties access to guestrooms.

 IV.     State the purpose of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and briefly describe how Title III of the Act affects lodging and food service establishments.

 V.      Describe the hotel`s obligation to protect its guests.

 VI.     Identify the steps a hotel must take to limit its liability for loss of guest valuables.

 VII.    Describe the procedures a hotel must follow if a guest dies while at the hotel.

 VIII.   Identify the general state restrictions typically placed on food service operations and on operations licensed to sell alcohol for on-premises consumption.

 IX.     Identify which employers are subject to the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and which employees are eligible for leave and related benefits under the Act.

 X       State the essential elements of several laws barring discrimination in employment.

 XI.     Identify general prohibitions outlined in the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988.

 XII.    Describe the provisions of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.

 XIII.   State the conditions under which tips are not considered wages.

 XIV.    List OSHA`s major functions.

 XV.     Define `telephone resale` as it applies to lodging establishments.

 XVI.    Name the three major copyright associations, and explain when royalties are payable.

 XVII.   Describe the Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations on fire brigades.

 XVIII.  State the purpose of the federal antitrust laws.

 XIX.    List some of the typical provisions of a franchise contract.

 XX      Describe privacy, antitrust, copyright, and employee use issues as they relate to the Internet.

 TOPICAL OUTLINE:

 

 I.      The Common Law Basis for Laws Governing the Hotelkeeper

         A.      Common Law

         B.      State Court Decisions

         C.      Federal Court Decisions

         D.      Defining Hotels, Motels, and Inns

 II.     The Hotelkeeper and the Law of Contracts

         A.      Definition of a Contract

         B.      Express and Implied Contracts

         C.      Bilateral and Unilateral Contracts

         D.      Void and Voidable Contracts

         E.      Unenforceable Contracts

         F.      Statutes of Limitation

 III.    The Hotelkeeper and the Laws of Torts and Negligence

         A.      Definition of a Tort

         B.      Contributory Negligence Rule

         C.      More Than Half of State Have Changed from Rule of Contributory Negligence to Rule of Comparative negligence

 IV.     The Hotel-Guest Relationship

         A.      Duty to Receive Guests

         B.      Right to Refuse Persons

 V.      Guest Reservations

         A.      Form and Effect of Agreement

         B.      Guest Lawsuits for Damages

         C.      Laws on Overbooking

 VI.     Convention and group Contracts with the Hotel

         A.      Convention Contract Format

         B.      A Word about Insurance

 VII.    The Guest¿s Right to Privacy

 VIII.   The Hotel¿s Right to Evict a Guest, Tenant, Restaurant Patron, or Others

         A.      Distinction between Guest and Tenant

         B.      When and How a Hotel Can Evict a Guest

         C.      Eviction of Persons Other Than Guests

         D.      New State Laws on Eviction

 IX.     Americans with Disabilities Act¿Public Accommodations

         A.      Title III¿Public Accommodations

 X       The Hotel¿s Duty to Protect Guests

         A.      Reasonable Care Rule

         B.      Acts of Hotel Employees

         C.      Acts of Other Guests and Patrons

         D.      Assault by Third Parties in Restrooms

         E.      Assault by Third Parties in Hotel parking Lots

         F.      Acts by Third Parties at Hotel Entranced

         G.      Educating the Public in Travelers¿ Safety

 XI.     The Hotel¿s Liability Regarding Guests¿ Property

         A.      State Statutes Limiting Liability

         B.      Unclaimed Property

         C.      Liability for Handling Mail for Hotel Guests

         D.      Liability for Automobiles of Guests and Others

 XII.    The Hotel¿s Liability for Loss of property of Non-guests

         A.      General Nature of Liability

         B.      Bailments for Non-Guests

         C.      Hotel Liability for Restaurant Patrons¿ Property

         D.      Hotel Defenses to Liability Claims

 XIII.   Safekeeping Facilities

         A.      Guests¿ Valuables

         B.      Posting Notices

         C.      Statutory Limits on Hotel¿s Liability When Hotel¿s Negligence is Alleged as Cause of Loss

 XIV.    Frauds Committed Against Hotels and Crimes of Trespass

         A.      Crimes Against Hotels

         B.      How Hotels Can Take Advantage of Criminal Statutes

         C.      Caveats on Detention of Guests

 XV.     Deceased Guests

         A.      Disposition of Property of Deceased Guest or Patron

         B.      Role of Public Administrator and P9olice Department

 XVI.    General Laws Regarding Food

         A.      Federal Laws Regarding Food

         B.      State and Local Laws Regarding Food

         C.      General Liability for Unwholesome Food

         D.      Warranties

         E.      Privity of Contract

         F.      Uniform Commercial Code

         G.      Strict Liability

 XVII.   Other Laws Relating to Food Service

         A.      Truth-in-Menu Laws and Labeling Laws

 XVIII.  State Laws Relating to Alcoholic Beverages

         A.      General Nature of Control by State

         B.      Application for and Issuance of Licenses

         C.      General Restrictions on Licensees

         D.      Liability Under State Dram Shop Acts

         E.      Common Law Liability for Serving Alcoholic Beverages to Intoxicated Persons

         F.      Hours and Premises of Sale

         G.      Books and Records

         H.      Important Warning

 XIX.    Wage and Hour Laws Applicable to Hotel Employees

         A.      Coverage of Federal and State Laws

         B.      Minimum Wage Rates Under Federal Law

         C.      FICA and FUTA Taxes

         D.      Meals and Lodging

         E.      Uniform Maintenance

         F.      Student Employees

 XX      The Family and Medical Leave Act

         A.      Covered Employers and Eligible Employees

         B.      Leaves of Absence of Eligible Employees

         C.      Leave Schedules

         D.      The Relationship of FMLA Leaves to Other Forms of Paid or Unpaid Leave

         E.      Health Benefits During the Leave

         F.      Additional Protection for Employees

         G.      Exception for Highly Compensated Employees

         H.      Prohibitions for Employers

         I.      ¿Serious Health Condition¿ Defined

         J.      Spouses Employed by the Same Employer

         K.      Employee Responsibilities

         L.      Employee Transfers to Alternative Positions

         M.      Change or Termination of Employment

         N.      Employer Penalties for Non-Compliance

         O.      The FMLA¿s Effect on State Laws

         P.      Special Considerations for Unionized Employees