Howard County Council approves bill ending hourly room rentals to prevent sex trafficking

The Howard County Council unanimously passed a bill Monday aimed at preventing sex trafficking and other criminal activity.

Under the legislation, employees of motels, hotels or similar businesses with at least four rooms are prohibited from offering rooms hourly.

Motels on Route 1

Legislation for the ban was introduced in March with motels along Route 1 in Elkridge in mind.

Howard County Council Chair Liz Walsh, as well as others in the Elkridge community, say criminals take advantage of hourly rentals for crimes like sex trafficking.

"While we commend the Howard County Police Department for crimes they solve, we need another tool in the toolbox to be a proactive action to deter and condemn the unwanted activity at the motels," said Laura Wisely at a legislative public hearing last month. Wisely is also part of the Elkridge Community Alliance.

Dr. Kevin Chin, an emergency room doctor, also testified in support of the ban last month.

"Human trafficking is real and it's a sad reality I see in my job," he said. "Route 1, given its proximity to two major cities, is a hotbed to human trafficking. This law will at least put a dent in it."

In March, police arrested Robert Bennet Jr. outside of Hillside Motel, who allegedly operated a sex trafficking ring at the Terrace Motel.

Bennett is facing multiple charges, including sex trafficking, prostitution, armed robbery and weapons violations after he allegedly arranged prostitution encounters for several women whom he controlled with drugs and threats. Police say he also planned several armed robberies during two months.

WJZ called five different motels about the ban. An employee at Hillside Motel was the only one not to immediately hang up and take a couple of questions.

"It's hurting people's motels," the woman said, when asked for further comment, she hung up the phone.

The Howard County Department of Inspections, Licenses and Permits will be enforcing this new ban.

Prince George's County passed similar legislation in 2015, according to our partners at The Baltimore Banner.

Trafficking in Maryland

Human trafficking often involves the use of force or coercion to make victims to engage in commercial sex. 

The National Human Trafficking Hotline reported 152 cases in Maryland in 2023. 

According to the hotline, human trafficking remains one of the most underreported crimes due to misconceptions and a lack of awareness. 

Human trafficking doesn't just happen at motels; it can also take place within the sex industry, including at strip clubs or fake massage businesses, according to the national hotline. 

If you or someone you know is being trafficked, contact the national hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or through their website.