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H.R. 3255 96th Congress House

Polygraph Control and Privacy Protection Act of 1979

Official title: A bill to protect the rights of individuals guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and to prevent unwarranted invasion of their privacy by prohibi… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to protect the rights of individuals guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States and to prevent unwarranted invasion of their privacy by prohibiting the use of polygraph equipment for certain purposes.

Introduced: March 27, 1979 See on congress.gov
Labor and Employment Civil Rights and LibertiesCivil actions and liabilityCivil service employmentCourts and Civil Procedure
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Crime preventionEmployee rightsFederal employees and officialsPolygraphsRight of privacy
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This bill died when the 96th Congress ended
It never became law before the 96th Congress (1979–1980) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 4 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Mar 27, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.
Mar 27, 1979
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Mar 27, 1979
Referred to House Committee on the Judiciary.
Mar 27, 1979
Introduced in House
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 Latest action March 27, 1979

Referred to House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Polygraph Control and Privacy Protection Act of 1979 - Prohibits any Federal employee or officer or any person engaged in interstate commerce from: (1) requiring any employee, officer, or applicant for employment to take a polygraph test in connection with such individual's employment; (2) denying employment or disciplining an employee by reason of such individual's refusal to submit to such test; or (3) using the results of such test in connection with such individual's employment. Exempts specified Federal employees and contractors from such provisions.

Sets forth civil and criminal penalties for violations of such provisions. Authorizes civil actions in U.S. district courts in behalf of aggrieved individuals.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3255: Polygraph Control and Privacy Protection Act of 1979. 96th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3255/
MLA
"H.R. 3255: Polygraph Control and Privacy Protection Act of 1979." 96th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3255/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3255, 96th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3255/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3255: Polygraph Control and Privacy Protection Act of 1979](https://openamerica.io/bill/96-HR-3255/)
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