UtahUtah law bars officials from requiring sexual offense victims to take polygraphs
Since May 6, 2026, officials handling sexual offense cases may not require victims to take lie detector tests or stop a case because they refuse.
What it does
Officials may not ask or require a victim to take a lie detector test during a sexual offense case, or make testing a condition for moving the case forward.
A victim’s refusal to take a lie detector test may not prevent officials from investigating, charging, or prosecuting a sexual offense.
Argument forVictims may face less pressure to take a lie detector test, and refusing one cannot stop officials from pursuing the case.
Argument againstInvestigators could have fewer ways to assess a victim’s truthfulness because officials cannot ask the victim to take a lie detector test.
More detail
Law enforcement officers, prosecutors, courts, and other government officials may not ask or require a victim to take a polygraph test. This applies to victims, including minors, in criminal investigations or prosecutions of sexual offenses. The law’s definition includes sexual exploitation and incest, but excludes certain offenses involving minors and child sexual abuse material. Officials also may not make a test a condition for moving a criminal investigation or prosecution forward. The law took effect May 6, 2026.
Officials may not let a victim’s refusal to take a polygraph test prevent an investigation, charge, or prosecution. This applies when a victim of a sexual offense refuses a polygraph test, also called a lie detector test. The law took effect May 6, 2026.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 26Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 10House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 10Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 6Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 6House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Mar 6House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 6Senate/ to House
- Mar 6Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 6Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 6Senate/ floor amendment failedMajor
- Mar 6Senate/ uncircled
- Mar 5Senate/ circled
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Feb 26Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 26Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 23Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Judiciary, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 20Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 19Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 19House/ to Senate
- Feb 19House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Feb 19House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Feb 12House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Feb 12House/ committee report favorable [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Feb 11House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 29House/ to standing committee [House Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice Committee]Minor
- Jan 20House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Jan 14House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Jan 14House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Jan 13LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0089
- Jan 13LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0089
- 2025
- Dec 23LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0089
- Dec 23LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0089
- Dec 23Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Dec 23Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
Criminal Justice