The bill, H.B. No. 4956, introduces a new requirement for peace officers in Texas to obtain certification before conducting polygraph examinations. It amends the Occupations Code by adding Section 1701.318, which empowers the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement to establish minimum training, testing, and certification requirements for peace officers. The certification is necessary for conducting polygraph examinations related to preemployment assessments, criminal investigations, and post-conviction sex offender tests. Additionally, the commission is tasked with adopting rules that prohibit peace officers from conducting these examinations unless they have completed an approved training course and passed a relevant examination.

Furthermore, the bill mandates that peace officers who receive certification must adhere to guidelines set by the American Polygraph Association when conducting post-conviction sex offender tests. The Texas Commission on Law Enforcement is required to implement the necessary rules by the effective date of the bill, which is September 1, 2025. However, compliance with these new rules will not be mandatory until January 1, 2027, allowing time for the implementation of the certification process.

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