HB678 Alabama 2015 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Connie C. Rowe

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2015

Title

Crime victims, sex offenses, law enforcement and prosecution prohibited from requiring polygraph as a condition to prosecution

Summary

HB678 would bar law enforcement, prosecutors, and other government officials from forcing sexual offense victims to take a polygraph as a condition to proceed with investigations or prosecutions.

What This Bill Does

It prohibits requiring an adult, youth, or child victim of a sexual offense to submit to a polygraph or similar truth-telling device in order to proceed with the investigation or prosecution. If a victim refuses, the investigation, charging, prosecution, trial, or sentencing may still go forward. The prohibition applies to law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, and other government officials.

Who It Affects

• Sexual offense victims (adult, youth, or child) who would no longer be required to undergo a polygraph as a condition to proceed with a case.
• Law enforcement officers, prosecuting attorneys, and other government officials who would be prohibited from requiring a polygraph of victims.

Key Provisions

• Prohibits requiring a polygraph examination or other truth-telling device from a victim of an alleged sexual offense as a condition to proceed with the investigation.
• A victim's refusal to submit to a polygraph shall not prevent the investigation, charging, prosecution, trial, or sentencing.
• Applies to adult, youth, or child victims defined in Sections 13A-6-61 to 13A-6-69.
• Effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or upon becoming law otherwise.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 24, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Crime Victims