SECURED Act of 2026
- Sponsor
- Rep. Harshbarger, Diana [R-TN-1]
- Committees
- Energy and Commerce Committee (primary)
- Last action
- Jul 15, 2026
Bottom line
The SECURED Act of 2026 aims to enhance safety for short-term rental guests by requiring platforms to disclose if a property owner is a registered child sex offender.
What it actually does
This bill mandates that digital platforms facilitating short-term rentals must implement procedures to ask property owners if they are registered child sex offenders. If an owner discloses this status, the platform must display a clear public disclosure on the listing, including a link to a public sex offender registry. Property owners who are registered child sex offenders are legally required to respond truthfully to these platform requests.
Proponents argue
Proponents argue that this bill provides crucial safety information to consumers, particularly families, allowing them to make informed decisions when booking short-term rentals. They emphasize the protection of children and vulnerable individuals, asserting that transparency regarding registered child sex offenders is a necessary step to prevent potential harm and increase public trust in the short-term rental market.
Opponents contend
Opponents might raise concerns about privacy rights for property owners, arguing that requiring disclosure of sex offender status could lead to discrimination or vigilantism. They might also question the effectiveness of such a measure, suggesting it places an undue burden on platforms and property owners without fully addressing the complexities of safety in rental situations, potentially leading to false positives or misinterpretations of public registry data.
The bill is concise and its provisions are clear, making it accessible for a quick and informed review.
Section 2(a)(1)
Covered Platform Disclosure Procedures
This provision mandates that digital platforms facilitating short-term rentals must implement reasonable procedures to ask property owners if they are registered child sex offenders before publishing a listing. If an owner confirms they are, the platform must display a clear and prominent public disclosure on the listing, including a link to a public sex offender registry for verification.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this provision directly addresses a potential safety gap by ensuring critical information is available to guests, empowering them to protect themselves and their families. It leverages the platforms' reach to disseminate vital public safety data.
Critics contend
Critics might argue that this places an unreasonable burden on platforms, requiring them to manage sensitive data and potentially exposing them to liability if disclosures are incomplete or inaccurate. They may also question the practical effectiveness of such a disclosure in preventing harm.
Tradeoffs
Balances consumer safety and transparency against the operational burden and potential privacy concerns for platforms and property owners.
Section 2(a)(2)
Registered Child Sex Offender Disclosure Obligation
This provision requires any property owner who is a registered child sex offender to respond truthfully to a covered platform's request about their status. They are explicitly prohibited from providing materially false information with respect to any such request, ensuring the integrity of the disclosure process.
Section 2(b)(1)
FTC Enforcement Authority
This provision designates violations of the bill's requirements as unfair or deceptive acts or practices under the Federal Trade Commission Act. It grants the FTC full authority to enforce these provisions, including applying the same powers, duties, and penalties as it does for other violations of the FTC Act.
Section 2(b)(2)
State Attorney General Actions
This provision allows State attorneys general, or other state officials, to bring civil actions in federal court on behalf of their residents if they believe a violation of the Act has occurred. States can seek injunctions, compliance enforcement, damages, restitution, or other equitable relief. States must notify the FTC before filing, and state actions are limited if a federal action is already pending against the same defendant for the same violation.