Standards of protection of minors (SPM) in hospitality service providers - theoretical and practical aspects

Abstract

From August 15, 2024, every entity providing hotel services in facilities where minors may stay or are staying is obliged to have and use the so-called standards for the protection of minors (SPM). This document should include policies and procedures for protecting children from harm. In the case of hotel facilities, the most important thing is to develop rules and procedures regarding the relationship between minors and the facility's staff, as well as the identification of the minor and his relationship with the adult with whom he is staying in the facility. The legislator, introduced the responsibilities mentioned above, but did not provide any instructions on how to implement them. Meanwhile, the obligation to identify a minor and his relationship with the adult with whom he is staying in the facility may cause difficulties in practice. The article indicates related problems and ways to solve them. An opinion was also expressed on the need for urgent intervention by the legislator in this respect, by directly indicating the personal data that a hotel facility may request in order to fulfill the obligation imposed on it.