CHAPTER 2-A. OFFENSES BY OWNERS

§61. Notice required for use of camera in short-term rental structures

            A. For the purposes of this Section, the following definitions apply:

            (1) "Camera" means a camcorder, motion picture camera, photographic camera of any type, or other equipment that is concealed or disguised to secretly or surreptitiously videotape, film, photograph, record, or view a person by electronic means.

            (2) "Common area" means all areas of the short-term rental structure, excluding any bedrooms or bathrooms.

            (3) "Short-term rental structure" means a building which may have previously been used as a one- or two-family dwelling but is rented from the owner of the structure by an unknown number of persons for a period of time not to exceed twenty-nine days.

            B.(1) Except as provided in Paragraph (2) of this Subsection, an owner or lessor of a short-term rental structure shall not install or use a camera on the premises of a short-term rental structure.

            (2) The owner or lessor of a short-term rental structure may install or use a camera only in the common areas of the structure if he first conspicuously posts a sign on the premises of the short-term rental structure with the following statement:

"NOTICE ELECTRONIC SURVEILLANCE EQUIPMENT HAS BEEN INSTALLED ON THESE PREMISES AND ALL ACTIVITIES IN COMMON AREAS ARE SUBJECT TO BEING RECORDED BY VIDEO."

            C. An owner or lessor of a short-term rental structure shall not use any audio, video, or photographic footage obtained pursuant to this Chapter for any commercial or exploitative purpose nor shall he make the footage available to members of the public.

            D. Any guest of a short-term rental structure who is documented on any audio, video, or photographic footage obtained in violation of this Chapter shall have a civil cause of action against an owner or lessor of a short-term rental structure who obtained, used, or made available the footage in violation of this Chapter, and is entitled to recover from any such owner or lessor all of the following:

            (1) Actual damages.

            (2) A reasonable attorney fee and other litigation cost reasonably incurred.

            (3) Punitive damages.

            Acts 2018, No. 633, §1.