Download Zipped Introduced WordPerfect SB0015.ZIP
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

S.B. 15

             1     

DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE

             2     
AMENDMENTS

             3     
2008 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Chief Sponsor: Carlene M. Walker

             6     
House Sponsor: ____________

             7     
             8      LONG TITLE
             9      Committee Note:
             10          The Transportation Interim Committee recommended this bill.
             11      General Description:
             12          This bill amends provisions relating to driving under the influence.
             13      Highlighted Provisions:
             14          This bill:
             15          .    amends definitions;
             16          .    enacts an impaired driving plea;
             17          .    provides that a plea to a driving under the influence violation may be entered as an
             18      impaired driving conviction in certain circumstances;
             19          .    provides that an impaired driving violation is a class B misdemeanor;
             20          .    provides requirements for a court entering a conviction of impaired driving in
             21      certain circumstances;
             22          .    requires the court to notify the Driver License Division of an impaired driving
             23              conviction;
             24          .    provides sentencing requirements for impaired driving convictions;
             25          .    repeals certain plea requirements when the prosecution agrees to a plea of guilty or
             26      no contest to an alcohol or drug-related reckless charge in satisfaction or substitute
             27      of an original charge of driving under the influence;


             28          .    provides that a tampering with an ignition interlock system violation may be tried in
             29      certain cities or counties;
             30          .    repeals certain alcohol or drug-related reckless driving plea restrictions;
             31          .    increases the administrative impound fee for a driving under the influence violation
             32      impound; and
             33          .    makes technical changes.
             34      Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
             35          This bill appropriates:
             36          .    as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, $660,000 from the
             37      General Fund for fiscal year 2008-09 to the Department of Public Safety, Utah
             38      Highway Patrol; and
             39          .    as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, $660,000 from the
             40      General Fund for fiscal year 2008-09 to the Department of Public Safety, Liquor
             41      Law Enforcement Program.
             42      Other Special Clauses:
             43          This bill takes effect on July 1, 2008.
             44          This bill provides revisor instructions.
             45      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             46      AMENDS:
             47          41-6a-501, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
             48          41-6a-510, as renumbered and amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
             49          41-6a-518.1, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 341
             50          41-6a-518.2, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2006, Chapter 341
             51          41-6a-529, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 261
             52          41-6a-1406, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 56 and renumbered and
             53      amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
             54          53-3-220, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2007, Chapter 261
             55          53-3-232, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapters 2, 91, and 220
             56      ENACTS:
             57          41-6a-502.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             58      REPEALS:


             59          41-6a-512, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2005, Chapter 2
             60     
             61      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             62          Section 1. Section 41-6a-501 is amended to read:
             63           41-6a-501. Definitions.
             64          (1) As used in this part:
             65          (a) "Assessment" means an in-depth clinical interview with a licensed mental health
             66      therapist:
             67          (i) used to determine if a person is in need of:
             68          (A) substance abuse treatment that is obtained at a substance abuse program;
             69          (B) an educational series; or
             70          (C) a combination of Subsections (1)(a)(i)(A) and (B); and
             71          (ii) that is approved by the Board of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance
             72      with Section 62A-15-105 .
             73          (b) "Drug" or "drugs" means any substance that, when taken into the human body, can
             74      impair the ability of a person to safely operate a motor vehicle.
             75          [(b)] (c) "Educational series" means an educational series obtained at a substance abuse
             76      program that is approved by the Board of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance
             77      with Section 62A-15-105 .
             78          [(c)] (d) "Negligence" means simple negligence, the failure to exercise that degree of
             79      care that an ordinarily reasonable and prudent person exercises under like or similar
             80      circumstances.
             81          [(d)] (e) "Screening" means a preliminary appraisal of a person:
             82          (i) used to determine if the person is in need of:
             83          (A) an assessment; or
             84          (B) an educational series; and
             85          (ii) that is approved by the Board of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance
             86      with Section 62A-15-105 .
             87          [(e)] (f) "Serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that creates or causes:
             88          (i) serious permanent disfigurement;
             89          (ii) protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ; or


             90          (iii) a substantial risk of death.
             91          [(f)] (g) "Substance abuse treatment" means treatment obtained at a substance abuse
             92      program that is approved by the Board of Substance Abuse and Mental Health in accordance
             93      with Section 62A-15-105 .
             94          [(g)] (h) "Substance abuse treatment program" means a state licensed substance abuse
             95      program.
             96          [(h)] (i) (i) "Vehicle" or "motor vehicle" means a vehicle or motor vehicle as defined in
             97      Section 41-6a-102 ; and
             98          (ii) "Vehicle" or "motor vehicle" includes:
             99          (A) an off-highway vehicle as defined under Section 41-22-2 ; and
             100          (B) a motorboat as defined in Section 73-18-2 .
             101          (2) As used in Section 41-6a-503 :
             102          (a) "Conviction" means any conviction for a violation of:
             103          (i) driving under the influence under Section 41-6a-502 ;
             104          (ii) (A) for an offense committed before July 1, 2008, alcohol, any drug, or a
             105      combination of both-related reckless driving under [Sections]:
             106          (I) Section 41-6a-512 , repealed by this bill; and
             107          (II) Section 41-6a-528 ; or
             108          (B) for an offense committed on or after July 1, 2008, impaired driving under Section
             109      41-6a-502.5 ;
             110          (iii) driving with any measurable controlled substance that is taken illegally in the body
             111      under Section 41-6a-517 ;
             112          (iv) local ordinances similar to Section 41-6a-502 [or], alcohol, any drug, or a
             113      combination of both-related reckless driving prior to July 1, 2008, or impaired driving under
             114      Section 41-6a-502.5 adopted in compliance with Section 41-6a-510 ;
             115          (v) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 ;
             116          (vi) Subsection 58-37-8 (2)(g);
             117          (vii) a violation described in Subsections (2)(a)(i) through (vi), which judgment of
             118      conviction is reduced under Section 76-3-402 ; or
             119          (viii) statutes or ordinances previously in effect in this state or in effect in any other
             120      state, the United States, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States which


             121      would constitute a violation of Section 41-6a-502 or alcohol, any drug, or a combination of
             122      both-related reckless driving if committed in this state, including punishments administered
             123      under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 815.
             124          (b) A plea of guilty or no contest to a violation described in Subsections (2)(a)(i)
             125      through (viii) which plea [is] was held in abeyance under Title 77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in
             126      Abeyance, prior to July 1, 2008, is the equivalent of a conviction, even if the charge has been
             127      subsequently reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance agreement, for
             128      purposes of:
             129          (i) enhancement of penalties under:
             130          (A) this Chapter 6a, Part 5, Driving Under the Influence and Reckless Driving; and
             131          (B) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 ; and
             132          (ii) expungement under Section 77-18-12 .
             133          Section 2. Section 41-6a-502.5 is enacted to read:
             134          41-6a-502.5. Impaired driving -- Penalty -- Sentencing requirements.
             135          (1) With the agreement of the prosecutor, a plea to a class B misdemeanor violation of
             136      Section 41-6a-502 may be entered as a conviction of impaired driving under this section if:
             137          (a) the defendant completes court ordered probation requirements; or
             138          (b) (i) the prosecutor agrees as part of a negotiated plea; and
             139          (ii) the court finds the plea to be in the interest of justice.
             140          (2) A conviction entered under this section is a class B misdemeanor.
             141          (3) (a) (i) If the entry of an impaired driving plea is based on successful completion of
             142      probation under Subsection (1)(a), the court shall enter the conviction at the time of plea.
             143          (ii) If the defendant fails to appear before the court and establish successful completion
             144      of the court ordered probation requirements under Subsection (1)(a), the court shall enter an
             145      amended conviction of Section 41-6a-502 .
             146          (iii) The date of entry of the amended order under Subsection (3)(a)(ii) is the date of
             147      conviction.
             148          (b) The court may enter a conviction of impaired driving immediately under
             149      Subsection (1)(b).
             150          (4) For purposes of Section 76-3-402 , the entry of a plea to a class B misdemeanor
             151      violation of Section 41-6a-502 as impaired driving under this section is a reduction of one


             152      degree.
             153          (5) The court shall notify the Driver License Division of each conviction entered under
             154      this section.
             155          (6) (a) The provisions in Subsections 41-6a-505 (1), (2), and (3) that require a
             156      sentencing court to order a convicted person to participate in a screening, an assessment, or an
             157      educational series, or obtain substance abuse treatment or do a combination of those things,
             158      apply to a conviction entered under this section.
             159          (b) The court shall render the same order regarding screening, assessment, an
             160      educational series, or substance abuse treatment in connection with a first, second, or
             161      subsequent conviction under this section as the court would render in connection with applying
             162      respectively, the first, second, or subsequent conviction requirements of Subsection
             163      41-6a-505 (1), (2), or (3).
             164          Section 3. Section 41-6a-510 is amended to read:
             165           41-6a-510. Local DUI and related ordinances and reckless driving and impaired
             166      driving ordinances -- Consistent with code.
             167          (1) An ordinance adopted by a local authority that governs the following matters shall
             168      be consistent with the provisions in this code which govern the following matters:
             169          (a) a person's operating or being in actual physical control of a motor vehicle while
             170      having alcohol in the blood or while under the influence of alcohol or any drug or the
             171      combined influence of alcohol and any drug; or
             172          (b) in relation to any of the matters described in Subsection (1)(a), the use of:
             173          (i) a chemical test or chemical tests;
             174          (ii) evidentiary presumptions;
             175          (iii) penalties; or
             176          (iv) any combination of the matters described in Subsection (1).
             177          (2) An ordinance adopted by a local authority that governs reckless driving, impaired
             178      driving, or operating a vehicle in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or
             179      property shall be consistent with the provisions of this code which govern those matters.
             180          Section 4. Section 41-6a-518.1 is amended to read:
             181           41-6a-518.1. Tampering with an ignition interlock system.
             182          (1) As used in this section:


             183          (a) "ignition interlock system" has the same meaning as defined in Section 41-6a-518 ;
             184      and
             185          (b) "interlock restricted driver" has the same meaning as defined in Section
             186      41-6a-518.2 .
             187          (2) (a) A person may not:
             188          (i) circumvent or tamper with the operation of an ignition interlock system;
             189          (ii) knowingly furnish an interlock restricted driver a motor vehicle without an ignition
             190      interlock system unless authorized under Subsection 41-6a-518 (7);
             191          (iii) blow into an ignition interlock system or start a motor vehicle equipped with an
             192      ignition interlock system for the purpose of allowing an interlock restricted driver to operate a
             193      motor vehicle; or
             194          (iv) advertise for sale, offer for sale, sell, or lease an ignition interlock system unless
             195      the system has been certified by the commissioner as required under Subsection 41-6a-518 (8).
             196          (b) An interlock restricted driver may not:
             197          (i) rent, lease, or borrow a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock system; or
             198          (ii) request another person to blow into an ignition interlock system in order to allow
             199      the interlock restricted driver to operate the motor vehicle.
             200          (c) A violation of any provision under this Subsection (2) is a class B misdemeanor.
             201          (d) A person who commits a violation of this section may be tried:
             202          (i) in the city or county:
             203          (A) where the installation of the ignition interlock system was ordered;
             204          (B) where the ignition interlock system was actually installed;
             205          (C) where the defendant tampered with or attempted to tamper with the ignition
             206      interlock system; or
             207          (D) where the tampered-with ignition interlock system is found; or
             208          (ii) if multiple offenses of ignition interlock system tampering occur in multiple
             209      jurisdictions, in any county:
             210          (A) where the ignition interlock system was tampered with or installed; or
             211          (B) where the defendant resides.
             212          (3) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of a violation of this section if:
             213          (a) the starting of a motor vehicle, or the request to start a motor vehicle, that is


             214      equipped with an ignition interlock system is done for the purpose of safety or mechanical
             215      repair of the system or the motor vehicle; and
             216          (b) the interlock restricted driver does not operate the motor vehicle.
             217          Section 5. Section 41-6a-518.2 is amended to read:
             218           41-6a-518.2. Interlock restricted driver -- Penalties for operation without ignition
             219      interlock system.
             220          (1) As used in this section:
             221          (a) "ignition interlock system" means a constant monitoring device or any similar
             222      device that:
             223          (i) is in working order at the time of operation or actual physical control; and
             224          (ii) is certified by the Commissioner of Public Safety in accordance with Subsection
             225      41-6a-518 (8); and
             226          (b) (i) "interlock restricted driver" means a person who:
             227          (A) has been ordered by a court or the Board of Pardons and Parole as a condition of
             228      probation or parole not to operate a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock system;
             229          (B) (I) within the last three years has been convicted of an offense that occurred after
             230      May 1, 2006 which would be a conviction as defined under Section 41-6a-501 ; and
             231          (II) the [conviction] offense described under Subsection (1)(b)(i)(B)(I) is committed
             232      within ten years [of one or more prior convictions] from the date that one or more prior
             233      offenses was committed if the prior offense resulted in a conviction as defined in Subsection
             234      41-6a-501 (2);
             235          (C) within the last three years has been convicted of a violation of this section;
             236          (D) within the last three years has had the person's driving privilege revoked for refusal
             237      to submit to a chemical test under Section 41-6a-520 , which refusal occurred after May 1,
             238      2006;
             239          (E) within the last three years has been convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502
             240      and was under the age of 21 at the time the offense was committed;
             241          [(E)] (F) within the last six years has been convicted of a felony violation of Section
             242      41-6a-502 for an offense that occurred after May 1, 2006; or
             243          [(F)] (G) within the last ten years has been convicted of automobile homicide under
             244      Section 76-5-207 for an offense that occurred after May 1, 2006; and


             245          (ii) "interlock restricted driver" does not include a person if:
             246          (A) the person's conviction described in Subsection (1)(b)(i)(B)(I) is a conviction under
             247      Section 41-6a-517 ; and
             248          (B) all of the person's prior convictions described in Subsection (1)(b)(i)(B)(II) are
             249      convictions under Section 41-6a-517 .
             250          (2) For purposes of this section, a plea of guilty or no contest to a violation of Section
             251      41-6a-502 which plea [is] was held in abeyance under Title 77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance,
             252      prior to July 1, 2008, is the equivalent of a conviction, even if the charge has been subsequently
             253      reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in abeyance agreement.
             254          (3) An interlock restricted driver that operates or is in actual physical control of a
             255      vehicle in this state without an ignition interlock system is guilty of a class B misdemeanor.
             256          (4) (a) It is an affirmative defense to a charge of a violation of Subsection (3) if:
             257          (i) an interlock restricted driver:
             258          (A) operated or was in actual physical control of a vehicle owned by the interlock
             259      restricted driver's employer;
             260          (B) had given written notice to the employer of the interlock restricted driver's
             261      interlock restricted status prior to the operation or actual physical control under Subsection
             262      (4)(a)(i); and
             263          (C) had on the interlock restricted driver's person or in the vehicle at the time of
             264      operation or physical control proof of having given notice to the interlock restricted driver's
             265      employer; and
             266          (ii) the operation or actual physical control under Subsection (4)(a)(i)(A) was in the
             267      scope of the interlock restricted driver's employment.
             268          (b) The affirmative defense under Subsection (4)(a) does not apply to:
             269          (i) an employer-owned motor vehicle that is made available to an interlock restricted
             270      driver for personal use; or
             271          (ii) a motor vehicle owned by a business entity that is all or partly owned or controlled
             272      by the interlock restricted driver.
             273          Section 6. Section 41-6a-529 is amended to read:
             274           41-6a-529. Definitions -- Alcohol restricted drivers.
             275          (1) As used in this section and Section 41-6a-530 , "alcohol restricted driver" means a


             276      person who:
             277          (a) within the last two years:
             278          (i) has been convicted of:
             279          (A) a misdemeanor violation of Section 41-6a-502 ;
             280          (B) alcohol, any drug, or a combination of both-related reckless driving under Section
             281      41-6a-512 , repealed by this bill;
             282          (C) impaired driving under Section 41-6a-502.5 ;
             283          [(C)] (D) local ordinances similar to Section 41-6a-502 [or], alcohol, any drug, or a
             284      combination of both-related reckless driving prior to July 1, 2008, or impaired driving adopted
             285      in compliance with Section 41-6a-510 ;
             286          [(D)] (E) a violation described in Subsections (1)(a)(i)(A) through [(C)] (D), which
             287      judgment of conviction is reduced under Section 76-3-402 ; or
             288          [(E)] (F) statutes or ordinances previously in effect in this state or in effect in any other
             289      state, the United States, or any district, possession, or territory of the United States which
             290      would constitute a violation of Section 41-6a-502 [or], alcohol, any drug, or a combination of
             291      both-related reckless driving, or impaired driving if committed in this state, including
             292      punishments administered under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 815; or
             293          (ii) has had the person's driving privilege suspended under Section 53-3-223 for an
             294      alcohol-related offense based on an arrest which occurred on or after July 1, 2005;
             295          (b) within the last three years has been convicted of a violation of this section or
             296      Section 41-6a-518.2 ;
             297          (c) within the last five years:
             298          (i) has had the person's driving privilege revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical
             299      test under Section 41-6a-520 , which refusal occurred on or after July 1, 2005; or
             300          (ii) [(A)] has been convicted of [an offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i); and] a
             301      class A misdemeanor violation of Section 41-6a-502 committed on or after July 1, 2008;
             302          [(B) at the time of operation or actual physical control of a vehicle the person:]
             303          [(I) is 21 years of age or older; and]
             304          [(II) has a passenger under 16 years of age in the vehicle;]
             305          (d) within the last ten years:
             306          (i) has been convicted of an offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which


             307      [conviction] offense was committed within ten years of [a prior conviction for an] the
             308      commission of a prior offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) for which the person was
             309      convicted; or
             310          (ii) has had the person's driving privilege revoked for refusal to submit to a chemical
             311      test and the refusal is within ten years after:
             312          (A) a prior refusal to submit to a chemical test under Section 41-6a-520 ; or
             313          (B) a prior conviction for an offense described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which is not
             314      based on the same arrest as the refusal; [or]
             315          (e) at any time has been convicted of:
             316          (i) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 for an offense that occurred on or
             317      after July 1, 2005; or
             318          (ii) a felony violation of Section 41-6a-502 for an offense that occurred on or after July
             319      1, 2005[.]; or
             320          (f) at the time of operation of a vehicle is under 21 years of age.
             321          (2) For purposes of this section and Section 41-6a-530 , a plea of guilty or no contest to
             322      a violation described in Subsection (1)(a)(i) which plea [is] was held in abeyance under Title
             323      77, Chapter 2a, Pleas in Abeyance, prior to July 1, 2008, is the equivalent of a conviction, even
             324      if the charge has been subsequently reduced or dismissed in accordance with the plea in
             325      abeyance agreement.
             326          Section 7. Section 41-6a-1406 is amended to read:
             327           41-6a-1406. Removal and impoundment of vehicles -- Reporting and notification
             328      requirements -- Administrative impound fee -- Refunds -- Possessory lien -- Rulemaking.
             329          (1) If a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is removed or impounded as provided under
             330      Section 41-1a-1101 , 41-6a-527 , 41-6a-1405 , 41-6a-1408 , or 73-18-20.1 by an order of a peace
             331      officer or by an order of a person acting on behalf of a law enforcement agency or highway
             332      authority, the removal or impoundment of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor shall be at the
             333      expense of the owner.
             334          (2) The vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor under Subsection (1) shall be removed or
             335      impounded to:
             336          (a) a state impound yard; or
             337          (b) if none, a garage, docking area, or other place of safety.


             338          (3) The peace officer may move a vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor or cause it to be
             339      removed by a tow truck motor carrier that meets standards established:
             340          (a) under Title 72, Chapter 9, Motor Carrier Safety Act; and
             341          (b) by the department under Subsection (10).
             342          (4) (a) Immediately after the removal of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor, a report
             343      of the removal shall be sent to the Motor Vehicle Division by:
             344          (i) the peace officer or agency by whom the peace officer is employed; and
             345          (ii) the tow truck operator or the tow truck motor carrier by whom the tow truck
             346      operator is employed.
             347          (b) The report shall be in a form specified by the Motor Vehicle Division and shall
             348      include:
             349          (i) the operator's name, if known;
             350          (ii) a description of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor;
             351          (iii) the vehicle identification number or vessel or outboard motor identification
             352      number;
             353          (iv) the license number or other identification number issued by a state agency;
             354          (v) the date, time, and place of impoundment;
             355          (vi) the reason for removal or impoundment;
             356          (vii) the name of the tow truck motor carrier who removed the vehicle, vessel, or
             357      outboard motor; and
             358          (viii) the place where the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor is stored.
             359          (c) Until the tow truck operator or tow truck motor carrier reports the removal as
             360      required under this Subsection (4), a tow truck motor carrier or impound yard may not:
             361          (i) collect any fee associated with the removal; and
             362          (ii) begin charging storage fees.
             363          (5) (a) Upon receipt of the report, the Motor Vehicle Division shall give notice to the
             364      registered owner of the vehicle, vessel, or outboard motor and any lien holder in the manner
             365      prescribed by Section 41-1a-114 .
             366          (b) The notice shall: