posted 04-21-2009 11:51 PM            

Summary of action in Alabama Legislature
April 21, 2009 19:24 EDT

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) -- A summary of action in the Alabama Legislature on Tuesday, the 22nd meeting day of the regular session:

--House Committee on County and Municipal Government meets at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday in room 622 to consider a bill to prohibit state, county or municipal government to require employees to take polygraph tests as a condition of continued employment.

**** This is the first I've heard of such a bill. Anyone from Alabama have some insight on this? This is actually being considered later today.****

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Ralph Hilliard
PolygraphPlace Owner & Operator

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posted 04-22-2009 10:51 AM            

it looks like it is attempting to prohibit polygraph as a condition of "continued" employment. It doesn't sound like it is trying to prohibit "pre" employment practices. Though this could be a first step.

It looks like unions have finally gotten a foothold... either that or GM did.

Anybody from AL have insight or opinions?

Jim

posted 04-22-2009 03:52 PM            

Alabama HB-693

SYNOPSIS: Under existing law, no person may require as a condition of continued employment with the state that an individual submit to a polygraph test.
This bill would apply such prohibition to county and municipal employees.

A BILL
TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Section 36-1-8, Code of Alabama 1975, prohibiting the use of polygraph testing for state employees, to apply such prohibition to county and municipal employees.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:

Section 1. Section 36-1-8, Code of Alabama 1975, is amended to read as follows:
§36-1-8.

"(a) No person may require or demand as a condition of continued employment with a county, a municipality, or the State of Alabama that an individual submit to or take a polygraph or similar test.

"(b) Any person found guilty of violating subsection (a) shall be guilty of a Class A misdemeanor."

Section 2. This act shall become effective on the first day of the third month following its passage and approval by the Governor, or its otherwise becoming law.

This Bill is Currently Pending Committee Action in House of Origin

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Ex scientia veritas

posted 04-23-2009 07:05 AM            

Our state allows this providing that the employing agency has a written policy addressing the issue to allow government employees prior notice that mandantory polygraph examinations may occur. This makes them a condition of employment. Our statute would have to be interpreted VERY broadly to attempt to apply routine screening under that subsection.

If Alabama passes this amendment,one of the results will probably they are going to turn alot of internal beefs into full criminal investigations. CI's look crappy in your personnel file even if you are cleared.

Compelling polygraph in internal investigations, can be overused if you have internal affairs guys who don't like confrontation or are too lazy to investigate, but I haven't read anything out of Alabama regarding such abuses. I'm guessing somebody has a stray thought and contacted his congressman.
I sure would like to hear from any Alabama Examiners

Hey Ralph How about a recruiting poster for examiners to join this board on the home page.

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Ex scientia veritas