SENATE BILL REPORT
SB 5419
BYSenators Warnke, Lee and Vognild
Licensing persons who operate polygraph equipment.
Senate Committee on Commerce & Labor
Senate Hearing Date(s):February 16, 1987; March 5, 1987
Majority Report: That Substitute Senate Bill No. 5419 be substituted therefor, and the substitute bill do pass.
Signed by Senators Warnke, Chairman; Smitherman, Vice Chairman; Anderson, Cantu, Sellar, Tanner, Vognild.
Senate Staff:Jack Brummel (786-7428)
March 6, 1987
AS REPORTED BY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE & LABOR, MARCH 5, 1987
BACKGROUND:
Washington currently does not require licensure or certification for polygraph examiners. Establishing competency tests for examiners and standards for administration of polygraph exams may help protect the public.
SUMMARY:
Polygraph or lie detector operators are required to obtain licenses. The Department of Licensing administers the issuance of licenses and may revoke or suspend licenses for violations of the provisions of the act. The Department also administers competency tests of applicants for licenses.
Standards for polygraph examinations are established. Competency test and license fees are each $50. Reciprocity is offered to polygraph examiners licensed in other states upon payment of a $200 fee. Provisions for filing misconduct charges with the Department against polygraph examiners are established. Hearing and appeal procedures are also established.
EFFECT OF PROPOSED SUBSTITUTE:
The Department of Licensing issues rules regarding fees, exams, and enforcement of the chapter. A section is added specifying that nothing in the bill affects the rights or prohibitions found in Chapter 49.44 RCW concerning employer use of polygraphs.
Fiscal Note: requested
Senate Committee - Testified: Richard Peregrim, NW Polygraph Examiners Association; Jerry Sheean, American Civil Liberties Union; Cynthia Jones, DOL; Jan Wiley-Gee, AWB and WA Retail Council; Sharron C. Nelson, Pacific NW Jewelers Association; Mark Fagan, Snohomish County Sheriffs Office