Bill > HB0089

This bill amends Utah law to establish new protections for victims of sexual offenses by prohibiting law enforcement, prosecutors, courts, and other government officials from requiring or requesting that a sexual offense victim take a polygraph examination (also known as a lie detector test) during a criminal investigation or prosecution. The bill defines a polygraph examination as a procedure using an instrument designed to detect and record changes in physiological characteristics like pulse or breathing rate to determine if someone is being truthful. Importantly, the legislation stipulates that a victim's refusal to submit to a polygraph examination cannot prevent the investigation, charging, or prosecution of a sexual offense. The bill also updates several definitions in existing law, replacing some gendered language (like "person") with more inclusive terms like "individual" and adding new definitions for terms such as "law enforcement officer" and "polygraph examination". The new provisions are intended to protect sexual offense victims from potentially traumatizing or invasive investigative practices and ensure that their cooperation is not contingent on taking a polygraph test. The bill is set to take effect on May 6, 2026.

Justice

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/HB0089.html