Councilor Henry Santana, one of the lead sponsors of the ordinance, emphasized the collaborative efforts involved in drafting the ordinance and the extensive consultations with various stakeholders, including hotel workers, union representatives, and industry leaders. Santana highlighted the risks faced by hotel workers, from human trafficking to health hazards, and stressed the importance of the ordinance in safeguarding both workers and the city. “We have a duty to ensure that those who keep our hotels running are safe, respected, and valued,” Santana stated.

Councilor Sharon Durkan reiterated support for the ordinance, describing it as a balanced approach to addressing health and safety issues in Boston’s hospitality industry. She noted the significant number of visitors the city welcomes annually and the responsibility that comes with such a volume. Durkan emphasized that the ordinance aims to equip workers with necessary knowledge and procedures to handle situations effectively, including the creation of an advisory panel of experts to offer practical guidance tailored to different hotel types and sizes.

The meeting featured testimonies from hotel workers and advocates. Carlos Romero, President of UNITE HERE Local 26, voiced strong support for the ordinance, outlining its provisions, including the creation of a seven-member committee to address public health challenges in hotels. Romero proposed incorporating racial bias training into the ordinance to prevent discrimination against marginalized communities while addressing human trafficking. He also suggested that hotels should have mandatory defibrillators, Narcan boxes for overdose situations, and active shooter training.

Isat Isaac, a worker from the Hilton Boston Park Plaza, supported the ordinance, arguing that limiting the number of rooms a housekeeper cleans would help combat bedbugs and other cleanliness issues. Isaac shared personal experiences, advocating for the ordinance as a standard for hotel cleanliness and safety in Boston.

Concerns about human trafficking were a focus of the discussions. One council member highlighted the need for effective identification and prevention training for hotel staff, emphasizing that hotels often serve as sites for such illegal activities. A speaker noted, “Human trafficking is much more pervasive than we appreciate,” referencing a previous incident in Brighton where a seemingly innocuous location was involved in sex trafficking. The need for consistent and comprehensive training programs was underscored, with hotel staff being trained to recognize patterns indicative of trafficking.

The testimony included personal accounts from hotel workers who have encountered challenges related to human trafficking and drug use in their workplaces. A hotel worker highlighted the rising issues stemming from the pandemic, including increased mental health crises and drug use among guests. The worker noted that from 2022 to February of this year, Boston Police responded to 1,690 incidents at hotels, and the Boston Fire Department attended to 1,465 calls, with respective increases of 18% and 12%.

Public health was another critical aspect of the ordinance. P.J. McCann, Deputy Commissioner for Policy Planning with the Boston Public Health Commission, discussed alarming trends in overdose mortality in Boston, noting a 41% increase overall from 2019 to 2023. The ordinance aims to ensure that hospitality businesses are prepared to handle overdose situations effectively and includes provisions for occupational safety regarding cleaning chemicals that pose health risks to workers.

The Massachusetts Lodging Association (MLA) and the American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) expressed concerns about the proposed ordinance. They acknowledged the serious issues raised but warned of potential unintended consequences, particularly regarding the economic impact on the hotel sector. The MLA highlighted the industry’s ongoing recovery from pandemic-related losses, noting a 6% decline in hotel occupancy compared to pre-pandemic levels and an 11.5% decrease in revenue per available room when adjusted for inflation.

The AHLA representative reiterated the importance of addressing human trafficking, sharing details about their initiatives like the “No Room for Trafficking” campaign. They emphasized the need for a statewide mandate for training, as not all hotels currently provide it uniformly.

Throughout the discussions, there was a clear divide between those advocating for enhanced health and safety regulations and those concerned about the implications for workers, particularly in relation to privacy and the potential for misidentification of consensual sex work with exploitation. The testimonies presented a complex landscape of opinions, with advocates for survivors stressing the need for effective training and intervention, while opponents highlighted concerns about profiling, discrimination, and the potential harmful consequences for consensual sex workers.