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50 State Library

Explore key resources on topics such as dram shop liability, innkeeper responsibilities, human trafficking signage, accessibility, and other state-specific requirements to help hospitality professionals understand their obligations and find the information they need.

50 State Library

The 50 State Library is a comprehensive resource that compiles key legal mandates, statutes, and regulatory requirements impacting the hospitality and beverage industry across all fifty states. This collection includes laws governing areas such as dram shop liability, human trafficking signage, innkeeper responsibilities, workplace safety, and other hospitality-related compliance obligations. The goal of the 50 State Library is to provide an accessible reference for hospitality professionals, legal practitioners, and business owners to locate and navigate the diverse legal landscape that shapes operations within the industry.

Dram Shop Laws

Alabama: Alabama Code § 6-5-71: Justia – Alabama Code § 6-5-71

Alaska: Alaska Statutes Title 4, Chapter 21 § 4.21.020: Alaska Legislature

Arizona: Arizona Revised Statutes § 4-311: Arizona Legislature

Arkansas: Arkansas Code § 16-126-106: Justia – Arkansas Code § 16-126-106

California: California Civil Code § 1714: California Legislative Info

Colorado: Colorado Revised Statutes § 44-3-801: Justia – Colorado Revised Statutes § 44-3-801

Connecticut: Title 44, § 44-2 – Hotel and Inn Keepers: Connecticut General Statutes § 44-2 

Delaware: Delaware does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors. Delaware Injury Info >>

Florida: Florida Statutes § 768.125: Florida Senate

Georgia: Georgia Code § 51-1-40: Justia – Georgia Code § 51-1-40

Hawaii: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 663-41; § 281-78: Justia – HRS § 663-41, Hawaii Legislature § 281-78

Idaho: Idaho Code § 23-808: Idaho Legislature

Illinois: Illinois Compiled Statutes 235 ILCS 5/6-21: Illinois General Assembly

Indiana: Indiana Code § 7.1-5-10-15.5: FindLaw Indiana Code

Iowa: Iowa Code § 123.92: Iowa Legislature PDF

Kansas: Kansas does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors.

Kentucky: Kentucky Statutes § 413.241: Kentucky Legislature

Louisiana: Louisiana does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors.

Maine: Maine Statutes § 2506: Maine Legislature

Maryland: Maryland does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors.

Massachusetts: Massachusetts General Laws ch. 138, § 69: Massachusetts Legislature

Michigan: Michigan Legislature § 436.1801: Michigan Legislature

Minnesota: Minnesota Statutes § 340A.801: Minnesota Legislature

Mississippi: Mississippi Code § 67-3-73: Justia – Mississippi Code § 67-3-73

Missouri: Missouri Statutes § 537.053: Missouri Revised Statutes

Montana: Montana Code § 27-1-710: Montana Legislature

Nebraska: Nebraska does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors.

Nevada: Nevada does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors.

New Hampshire: RSA 507-F:4; RSA 507-F:5: New Hampshire RSA 507-F:4, RSA 507-F:5

New Jersey: N.J.S.A. 2A:22A-5: Justia – New Jersey Statutes

New Mexico: New Mexico Statutes § 41-11-1: Justia – New Mexico Statutes

New York: Dram Shop Law (general resource): NYC Bar Dram Shop Article

North Carolina: NC General Statutes § 18B-120: North Carolina Legislature

North Dakota: ND Century Code § 5-01-06: North Dakota Legislature PDF

Ohio: Ohio Revised Code § 4399.18: Ohio Revised Code

Oklahoma: Oklahoma Dram Shop Laws: Edwards & Patterson Injury Law

Oregon: Oregon Revised Statutes § 471.565: Oregon Public Laws

Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania Code (general): PACode and Bulletin

Rhode Island: Rhode Island General Laws: Rhode Island Legislature

South Carolina: South Carolina Code § 61-4-580: South Carolina Legislature

South Dakota: South Dakota does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors.

Tennessee: Tennessee Code § 57-10-102: Justia – Tennessee Code § 57-10-102

Texas: Texas Alcoholic Beverage Code § 2.02: Texas Statutes

Utah: Utah Code § 32B-15-201: Utah Code

Vermont: Vermont Statutes Title 7 § 501: Vermont Legislature

Virginia: Virginia does not have a dram shop statute, but federal law still prohibits serving alcohol to minors. Virginia Code

Washington: RCW § 66.44.200: Washington Legislature

West Virginia: West Virginia Code § 60-3A-25: WV Legislature

Wisconsin: Wisconsin Statutes § 125.035: Wisconsin Legislature

Wyoming: Wyoming Statutes § 12-5-502: Justia – Wyoming Statutes

Limited Liability for Innkeepers

Alabama: Title 34, Chapter 15 – Hotels, Inns, and Lodging: Alabama Code Title 34 Ch. 15

Alaska: Title 8, Chapter 56 – Hotels and Boardinghouses: Alaska Statutes Title 8 Ch. 56

Arizona: ARS § 33-302 – Maintenance of fireproof safe: Arizona Revised Statutes § 33-302

Arkansas: Title 20, § 20-26-302 – Liability for deposit: Arkansas Code § 20-26-302

California: Civil Code §§ 1859-1867 – Innkeepers: California Civil Code §§ 1859-1867

Colorado: CRS § 6-25-110 – Maximum liability for lost articles: Colorado Revised Statutes § 6-25-110

Connecticut: Title 44, § 44-2 – Hotel and Inn Keepers: Connecticut General Statutes § 44-2

Delaware: Title 24, Chapter 15, § 1502 – Safekeeping of valuables: Delaware Code § 1502

Florida: Chapter 509, § 509.111 – Operator’s liability: Florida Statutes § 509.111

Georgia: Code § 43-21-11 – Limitation on liability: Georgia Code § 43-21-11

Hawaii: Title 26, Chapter 486K, § 486K-5 – Hotelkeeper liability: Hawaii Revised Statutes § 486K-5

Idaho: Title 39, Chapter 18, § 39-1804 – Liability of innkeepers: Idaho Code § 39-1804

Illinois: 740 ILCS 90/ – Innkeeper Protection Act: Illinois Innkeeper Protection Act

Indiana: Title 32, Article 33, Chapter 7: Indiana Code Title 32, Article 33, Chapter 7

Iowa: Chapter 671 – Liability of inns: Iowa Code Chapter 671

Kansas: Chapter 36, Article 4 – Liability for guest property: Kansas Statutes Chapter 36 Article 4

Kentucky: KRS § 306.030 – Liability for loss/damage to guests’ property: Kentucky Statutes § 306.030

Louisiana: Civil Code Art. 2945 – Limitation of liability: Louisiana Civil Code Art. 2945

Maine: Title 30-A, § 3854 – Nature of liability; limit: Maine Statutes § 3854

Maryland: No specific statutory code (see hospitality guidance): Maryland Innkeeper Liability Guidance (PDF)

Massachusetts: Chapter 140, § 12C – Innkeeper liability: Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 140 § 12C

Michigan: Act 42 of 1905, § 427.101 – Liability of innkeepers: Michigan Legislature § 427.101

Minnesota: § 327.71 – Innkeeper liability: Minnesota Statutes § 327.71

Mississippi: § 75-73-5 – Hotels and innkeepers liability: Mississippi Code § 75-73-5

Missouri: RSMo § 419.010 – Innkeeper liability: Missouri Revised Statutes § 419.010

Montana: MCA § 27-1-710 – Liability of innkeepers: Montana Code Annotated § 27-1-710

Nebraska: § 41-208 – Liability for innkeepers: Nebraska Revised Statute § 41-208

Nevada: NRS Chapter 651 – Public accommodations: Nevada Revised Statutes Chapter 651

New Hampshire: RSA 353:1 – Liability for losses: New Hampshire RSA 353:1

New Jersey: Title 29, § 29:2-2 – Liability limitation: New Jersey Revised Statutes § 29:2-2

New Mexico: § 57-6-1 – Liability of hotelkeeper: New Mexico Statutes § 57-6-1

New York: General Business Law § 201 – Liability of hotelkeepers: New York General Business Law § 201

North Carolina: Chapter 72, Article 1 – Innkeepers: NC General Statutes Chapter 72 Article 1 (PDF)

North Dakota: Title 35, Chapter 35-19 – Innkeeper’s Lien: North Dakota Century Code Title 35 Chapter 35-19

Ohio: Chapter 4721 – Innkeepers: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 4721

Oklahoma: Title 15, § 15-501 – Liability and lien: Oklahoma Statutes § 15-501

Oregon: ORS 699.010 – Limitation on liability: Oregon Revised Statutes § 699.010

Pennsylvania: Title 48, Chapter 13 – Lodging and housing: Pennsylvania Code Chapter 13 Title 48

Rhode Island: Title 5, § 5-14-2 – Businesses and professions: Rhode Island General Laws § 5-14-2

South Carolina: § 45-1-40 – Innkeeper’s liability for loss: South Carolina Code § 45-1-40

South Dakota: Codified Law 43-40 – Liability of innkeepers: South Dakota Codified Law 43-40

Tennessee: Title 62, § 62-7-106 – Restrictions on liability: Tennessee Code § 62-7-106

Texas: Occupations Code § 2155.052 – Hotel keeper liability: Texas Occupations Code § 2155.052

Utah: Title 29, § 29-1-2 – Limitation of liability: Utah Code § 29-1-2

Vermont: Subchapter 003 – Liability of innkeepers: Vermont Statutes Subchapter 003

Virginia: § 35.1-28 – Liability of innkeepers: Virginia Code § 35.1-28

Washington: RCW 19.48.070 – Liability for loss of baggage: Revised Code of Washington 19.48.070

West Virginia: § 16-6-22 – Liability of innkeepers: West Virginia Code § 16-6-22

Wisconsin: § 97.633 – Liability of innkeepers: Wisconsin Statutes § 97.633

Wyoming: Title 33, Chapter 17, § 33-17-101: Wyoming Statutes § 33-17-101

Human Trafficking Signage Requirements

Alabama: Ala. Code §13A‑6‑170, (Nuisance Only): Alabama’s Human Trafficking Law

Alaska: Anchorage ordinance, § 16.90.05; no statewide law: Anchorage Code of Ordinances

Additional Requirements (Anchorage):

  • Five Most Common Languages are Required
  • Must be at Least 8½ x 11”
  • Penalty for Failure: $100 fine
  • Specific Text is Required


Arizona: No Signage Mandate

Arkansas: §§ 12-19-101 — 12-19-105 (Nuisance Only): Arkansas Code § 12-19-102 (2024)

California: Civil Code §52.6 – Mandated Posting in Hotels and Public Venues: California DOJ Model Notice, California Civil Code § 52.6 – Human Trafficking Notice Requirements

Colorado: No Signage Mandate

Connecticut: CGS §54‑234a. – Hotels, airports, rest stops: Connecticut General Statutes § 54-234a. (2024)

Delaware: No Signage Mandate

Florida: No State Signage Mandate

Jacksonville & Miami Beach:

  • English & Spanish Versions Required


Miami Lakes:

  • English & Spanish Versions Required
  • Must be at least 3″x7″
  • Failure to Post: Up to $1,000 fine


Georgia: §16‑5‑47: Georgia Code § 16-5-47 (2024)

Additional Requirements (Fulton County & Hapeville):

  • English & Spanish Versions Required


Hawaii: No Signage Mandate

Idaho: No Signage Mandate

Illinois: No Signage Mandate

Indiana: No Signage Mandate

Iowa: No Signage Mandate

Kansas: No Signage Mandate

Kentucky: KRS 529.110: AN ACT relating to the posting of signage to prevent human trafficking. 1 Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth

Louisiana: GSS-HT118A-LA: Louisiana Revised Statutes Tit. 15, § 541.1 | FindLaw

Maine: Title 26, §879 – Posting in eating and lodging places: Title 26, §879: Human trafficking awareness signs

Maryland: 19-103 (Nuisance Only): Maryland Business Regulation Code Section 19-103 (2024)

Additional Requirements (Baltimore):

  • English & Spanish Versions Required


Massachusetts: No Signage Mandate

Michigan: Public Act 62 of 2016 (Nuisance Only): LEO – Human Trafficking Notification

Minnesota: CHAPTER 179–S.F.No. 3367: Chapter 179 – MN Laws

Mississippi: No Signage Mandate

Missouri: RSMo §595.120 – Public nuisance venues, hotels: Missouri Revised Statutes §595.120

Montana: No Signage Mandate

Nebraska: §81‑1430 – A task force of the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice is statutorily authorized to encourage businesses, including hotels, to voluntarily display human trafficking awareness posters: Nebraska Revised Statutes §81‑1430

Nevada: No Signage Mandate

New Hampshire: No Signage Mandate

New Jersey: N.J.S.A. §52:17B‑237 – Broad notice requirements, (Back of House): New Jersey Revised Statutes Section 52:17B-237.1 (2024)

New Mexico: If Subject to Min. Wage Act: New Mexico Law Requires Employers to Post Human Trafficking Poster

New York: § 206-f, (Information Cards): Legislation – The Laws of New York

North Carolina: § 130A-511: G.S. 130A-511

North Dakota: No Signage Mandate

Ohio: O.R.C. 3731.0 1, Optional DPS awareness poster: Ohio DPS Human Trafficking Poster

Oklahoma: No Signage Mandate

Oregon: HB3143, Freedom Stickers for renewal of liquor licenses: Freedom Stickers – inourbackyard.org

Pennsylvania: 2012 Act 197 (Nuisance Only): Human Trafficking | Liquor Control Board | Commonwealth of Pennsylvania

Rhode Island: R.I. Gen. Laws §11‑67.1‑1 – Mandatory hotel posting, (Nuisance Only): General Laws of Rhode Island Section 11-67.1-20. (2024)

South Carolina: SC Code § 16-3-2100 (2024): South Carolina Code Section 16-3-2100 (2024)

South Dakota: No Signage Mandate

Tennessee: § 39-13-313 (2017): Tennessee Code § 39-13-313 (2024)

Texas: Bus. & Com. Code §114.0053 – Mandatory hotel signage: Texas Business & Commerce Code Ch.114

Additional Requirements (Houston):

  • English & Spanish Versions Required
  • 12 pt Font Required


Utah: No Signage Mandate

Vermont: H. 153 § 2661– Awareness poster may be posted: Bill Text: VT H0153 | 2011-2012 | Regular Session | Chaptered | LegiScan

Virginia: No Signage Mandate

Washington: SB 6056: Human trafficking/hotels – SB 6056

West Virginia: §15A-2-5: West Virginia Code | §15A-2-5

Wisconsin: Encouraged per DOJ guidance: Wisconsin Department of Justice Human Trafficking Awareness Materials

Wyoming: No Signage Mandate