Bill Aims to Legalize Lie Detector Tests for Some Workers

Jobseekers hoping to work in industries that bring them into close contact with children may soon find themselves on the receiving end of a polygraph test during the interview process.

At least that will be the case if U.S. Rep. Dennis Ross, R-Lakeland, gets his way. Ross, along with Polk County Sheriff’s Grady Judd and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, plan to pitch the Protecting Our Children Act to congress. The act would amend the Employee Polygraph Protection Act of 1988 to enable employers whose businesses interact with children on a regular basis to screen employees with lie detector tests during the hiring process.

“These polygraph tests would help identify child sex predators during the hiring process and allow companies whose employees interact closely with minors to deny employment to such prospective employees,” an email to media from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office explained.

The proposed legislation was drafted as the result of a collaboration between Ross, Judd and the national center.

“As a father, it’s horrific and troubling to know that there are people out there who prey on our children,” said Ross. “Right now, companies are allowed to do background checks and fingerprint. However, if individuals haven’t been caught for their participation in a child sex crime, their names won’t show up on the report.”

As it stands right now, federal law prohibits polygraph testing during the hiring process for most employers. Law enforcement agencies, for example, are exempted from the law.

“Let’s give these businesses more tools to use to help keep our kids safe so that we can prevent another
child from becoming a victim,” Ross said.

Ross introduced the bill last June, but it didn’t make it further than a subcommittee. The plan to reintroduce the legislation was announced Monday.

“This legislation will help protect children from being victimized by deviant child predators by allowing employers to better screen those who work with children,” Judd said.

If passed, the bill wouldn’t make polygraph tests mandatory. Employers who meet the conditions for their use would have the option of doing so.

What are your thoughts on bill? Good idea or too much intrusion? Tell us by commenting below!

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