It would be the first law of its kind in the US and has been sparked by the incident involving former International Monetary Fund boss Dominique Strauss-Kahn, who’s been charged with sexually assaulting a Manhattan hotel maid earlier this month.

Rory Lancman, a member of the New York state legislature who heads a committee on workplace safety, told media that attacks on hotel maids and housekeepers are relatively common, though he has no data to support the claim.

"Unfortunately, a lot of men think that when they are away from home the normal rules of social conduct don’t apply, and a young woman entering a hotel room, particularly if she looks like an undocumented immigrant who doesn’t have the means to report (an assault) — they think she’s fair game," he said.

Mr Lancman said that hotel workers needing urgent help could use the panic buttons to contact the hotel’s front desk or its security and then police could be called if necessary.

Peter Ward, president of the New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council, said: "This reasonable proposal would ensure that thousands of hotel workers are not put at unnecessary risk".

In 2009, 100 hotel maids were assaulted — 70 by people, 30 by animals - according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

But experts say assaults may be under-reported since workers may fear being sacked and employers, mindful of insurance, might not want to report assaults that are not severe.

Hotel companies are examining security protocols following the incident, industry executives said on Tuesday.

Mr Strauss-Kahn faces charges of sexual assault and attempting to rape a housekeeper at the Sofitel hotel in New York on 14 May. He has been freed on bail and is currently confined to an apartment in Manhattan.

He has denied the charges but has resigned as managing director of the International Monetary Fund.