SECURED Act of 2026
Sponsored By: Representative Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would require short-term rental platforms to verify and publicly disclose when a property owner is a registered child sex offender. It would let the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforce violations and allow states to bring parens patriae suits, with the rules taking effect one year after enactment.
Show full summary
- Families and guests: Listings would show a clear disclosure and a link to a public sex offender registry (for example, the National Sex Offender Public Website) before booking. Short-term rentals are defined as stays under 9 consecutive months.
- Property owners who are registered child sex offenders: Must respond to platforms' disclosure requests and may not give materially false information. If they disclose, platforms must place a conspicuous notice on the listing.
- Covered platforms: Would have to adopt reasonable procedures to request owner disclosure before publishing listings and add public notices when applicable. Failures are treated as unfair or deceptive acts under FTC law.
- States and state attorneys general: May sue in federal court on behalf of residents but must notify the FTC before filing. The FTC can intervene, and parallel state actions are limited while a federal case is pending.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
New safety rules for short-term rentals
If enacted, platforms that list short-term rentals would have to ask owners whether they are registered child sex offenders before publishing a listing. If an owner says they are, the platform would have to show a clear notice on the listing before booking and link to a public sex-offender registry for independent verification. Owners who are registered would need to answer the platform's request and could not give materially false information. The bill would define covered platforms, short-term rentals (rented for fewer than 9 consecutive months), and registered child sex offenders. Enforcement would be by the Federal Trade Commission with its usual powers, and States could sue on behalf of residents after notifying the FTC. The rules would take effect one year after enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
TN • R
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov