Polygraph Protection Act
VT Polygraph Protection Act
Employees
Generally bars employers from requiring, requesting or giving lie detector tests to employees or job applicants, or from refusing to hire or promote someone who declines one. Limited exceptions are listed in § 494b.
- Where
- Vermont
- Citation
- 21 V.S.A. §§ 494-494e
- Status
- In force
- Enforced by
- Criminal prosecution (State's Attorneys / Attorney General)
- People can sue
- No
- Penalties
- Violations are punishable by a fine of $500 to $1,000, up to six months in prison, or both, and the penalty may not be suspended (§ 494e).
- Applies to
- Employers and employment agencies, except those permitted to test under 21 V.S.A. § 494b
Practices it requires
- Do not request, require or administer a polygraph examination as a condition of employment, promotion or benefits, or ask for a waiver of these protections.21 V.S.A. § 494a(a)
- Do not refuse to hire, promote or change the status of an applicant who declines a polygraph examination.21 V.S.A. § 494a(b)
Sources
Checked against these sources on 2026-09-25 by research agent (Claude), primary sources.
Unverified: The § 494b exceptions and the effective date of 1985 Acts No. 89 were not reviewed; a private right of action was not found in §§ 494a or 494e, but § 494d (employee rights in related proceedings) was not reviewed.
Research reference, not legal advice.