SECURED Act of 2026

This legislation aims to enhance transparency in the short-term rental market by requiring digital platforms to address the presence of registered child sex offenders. Before publishing a listing, platforms must implement reasonable procedures to ask property owners if they are registered child sex offenders. If a property owner discloses this status, the platform must include a clear and conspicuous public disclosure on the rental listing, visible to prospective guests prior to the point of sale. This disclosure must also provide a link to a public sex offender registry for independent verification. Property owners who are registered child sex offenders are legally obligated to respond truthfully to these disclosure requests and are prohibited from providing false information. Violations of these provisions are enforceable by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as unfair or deceptive acts, and states' attorneys general can also bring civil actions to ensure compliance and protect residents.