SRC-TNM S.B. 527 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 527 By: Patterson Intergovernmental Relations 2-23-97 As Filed DIGEST Currently, a peace officer is subject to being discharged from the officer's place of employment for refusing to take a polygraph examination. The goal of S.B. 527 is to extend the same privileges to police officers that the general public enjoys by prohibiting an officer from being discharged by the officer's employer for refusing to take a polygraph examination. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 527 outlines provisions regarding prohibiting employment discrimination against certain peace officers for refusing to take a polygraph examination. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 614, Government Code, by adding Subchapter E, as follows: SUBCHAPTER E. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATIONS Sec. 614.061. DEFINITION. Defines "peace officer." Sec. 614.062. APPLICABILITY OF SUBCHAPTER. Provides that this subchapter does not apply to a peace officer to whom Section 411.007, Government Code, applies or who is required to take a polygraph examination under Section 143.124, 143.313, or 157.905, Local Government Code. Sec. 614.063. POLYGRAPH EXAMINATION. Prohibits a peace officer from being suspended, discharged, or subjected to any other form of employment discrimination by the peace officer's employer because the officer refuses to take a polygraph examination. SECTION 2. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.