Polygraph Tests Curbed as U.S. Law Takes Effect

Many uses of lie detectors by private employers became illegal Tuesday under a law that the American Civil Liberties Union calls a “holiday gift to working people.”

The law, which took effect six months after President Reagan signed it, generally bans all random polygraph examinations and most uses of the controversial devices for pre-employment purposes.

“We expect that the new law will ban 80% of the approximately 2 million polygraph tests given annually,” said Judy Goldberg, the ACLU’s legislative representative.

The law’s restrictions will be felt most heavily in 28 states that lack their own statutes restricting the use of lie detectors, Goldberg said.

May Affect California

Employers in California, which allows businesses to request people to take lie detector tests, could be affected also, she said.

Not covered, however, are federal, state and local governments and firms doing sensitive work under contract to the Defense Department, FBI and CIA.

The only other exceptions to the general ban apply to companies that manufacture, distribute or dispense controlled substances and some types of firms in the security guard, armored car or security alarm fields.