Bill > HB0089

This bill amends existing Utah law to significantly restrict the use of polygraph examinations, commonly known as lie detector tests, on victims of sexual offenses. Specifically, it prohibits law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, courts, or any other government official from asking or requiring a victim of a sexual offense to undergo a polygraph examination as part of a criminal investigation or prosecution. Furthermore, the bill states that a victim's refusal to take a polygraph test cannot be a reason to halt an investigation, charge, or prosecution of a sexual offense. The bill also clarifies definitions within the relevant chapter, including defining "law enforcement officer" and "polygraph examination" as a procedure designed to detect physiological changes to determine truthfulness. This change aims to provide additional protections for victims of sexual offenses by preventing them from being subjected to these tests during what is often a traumatic legal process.