It is generally legal to install a video camera in your home to monitor a babysitter or nanny, and does not require the consent of the babysitter or nanny. But it is generally illegal to place such a camera in private places such as bathrooms or a live-in nanny’s bedroom. And in some states that require both parties to consent to the recording of a conversation, it is illegal to place a camera or other device in your home that records audio without the consent (preferably in writing) of your babysitter or nanny. These states that require two-way consent to record conversations (your consent and the babysitter or nanny’s consent) include California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington.

In Iowa, it is generally legal to install a video camera in your home for the purposes of monitoring a babysitter or nanny. This can be done without the consent of the person being recorded, as long as the camera is placed in common areas and not in private spaces where there is an expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms or a live-in nanny's bedroom. However, Iowa law does require consent for audio recordings. Iowa is a 'one-party consent' state, meaning that only one party involved in the conversation needs to consent to the recording. Therefore, as long as the homeowner consents to the audio recording, it is legal to record conversations in your home. However, it is advisable to inform the babysitter or nanny that audio recording devices are in use to avoid any legal complications or claims of privacy violation.