§34-15-15. Liability for loss of baggage.

(a) Every hotel shall provide a check room or other convenient storage place for all baggage of its registered guests, those intending to become guests and others using or occupying any of the public spaces of the hotel, all of whom are hereinafter referred to in this section as guests, and shall keep displayed in the lobby of the hotel written notice that such check room or storage place has been provided; and the hotel shall give receipts or checks for all baggage so delivered to it by its guests when requested to do so by any such guest. When such check room or storage place has been provided, and notice thereof has been so displayed by the hotel and if the hotel makes no extra charge against its guests for so storing or checking their baggage, the hotel shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or destruction of the baggage, by theft or otherwise, unless the guest leaves the baggage in such check room or storage place or, in the case of a registered guest, in the room or rooms assigned to such guest. As for baggage which is left with the hotel for storage in such check room or other convenient storage place or as for baggage which is left by a guest in the room or rooms in which such guest was registered after such guest has permanently departed from the hotel, the hotel shall not be liable for any loss, damage, or destruction thereof, by theft or otherwise, unless the baggage is called for within 30 days of the time of its acceptance by the hotel or within 30 days of the time when a guest permanently departs from the hotel, as the case may be. The liability of a hotel for any loss, damage, or destruction of the baggage of a guest, by theft or otherwise, shall in no event and under no circumstances or conditions exceed the sum of $500, regardless of whether or not such hotel has complied with the provisions of this section, unless a written contract is entered into and executed by the hotel and such guest providing for a greater liability.

(b) The term "baggage," as used in this section, shall mean and include baggage, samples of merchandise of all description, and wearing apparel of all description brought to the hotel at the instance of, or by, the guest, but does not include "valuables" as defined in Section 34-15-12.

(Acts 1919, No. 597, p. 845; Code 1923, §4476; Code 1940, T. 24, §15; Acts 1943, No. 406, p. 373, §1; Acts 1959, No. 412, p. 1046, §1.)