H.B. 16

1

BLOOD AND BREATH ALCOHOL TESTING
2 2002 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Sponsor: Paul Ray
5 This act modifies provisions of the Motor Vehicle Code and the Criminal Code relating to
6 testing of blood or breath alcohol levels in driving under the influence cases, automobile
7 homicide cases, flying under the influence case, and boating under the influence cases.
8 This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
9 AMENDS:
10 41-6-44, as last amended by Chapters 64, 289, 309 and 355, Laws of Utah 2001
11 41-6-44.5, as last amended by Chapter 161, Laws of Utah 1993
12 41-6-44.12, as enacted by Chapter 157, Laws of Utah 1999
13 53-3-418, as last amended by Chapter 85, Laws of Utah 2001
14 72-10-501, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 270, Laws of Utah 1998
15 72-10-504, as renumbered and amended by Chapter 270, Laws of Utah 1998
16 73-18-12.2, as last amended by Chapter 94, Laws of Utah 1998
17 73-18-12.4, as enacted by Chapter 118, Laws of Utah 1987
18 76-5-207, as last amended by Chapter 161, Laws of Utah 1993
19 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
20 Section 1. Section 41-6-44 is amended to read:
21 41-6-44. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or with specified or unsafe
22 blood alcohol concentration -- Measurement of blood or breath alcohol -- Criminal
23 punishment -- Arrest without warrant -- Penalties -- Suspension or revocation of license.
24 (1) As used in this section:
25 (a) "educational series" means an educational series obtained at a substance abuse program
26 that is approved by the Board of Substance Abuse in accordance with Section 62A-8-107 ;
27 (b) "prior conviction" means any conviction for a violation of:

28 (i) this section;
29 (ii) alcohol-related reckless driving under Subsections (9) and (10);
30 (iii) local ordinances similar to this section or alcohol-related reckless driving adopted in
31 compliance with Section 41-6-43 ;
32 (iv) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 ; or
33 (v) statutes or ordinances in effect in any other state, the United States, or any district,
34 possession, or territory of the United States which would constitute a violation of this section or
35 alcohol-related reckless driving if committed in this state, including punishments administered
36 under 10 U.S.C. Sec. 815;
37 (c) "screening and assessment" means a substance abuse addiction and dependency
38 screening and assessment obtained at a substance abuse program that is approved by the Board of
39 Substance Abuse in accordance with Section 62A-8-107 ;
40 (d) "serious bodily injury" means bodily injury that creates or causes serious permanent
41 disfigurement, protracted loss or impairment of the function of any bodily member or organ, or
42 creates a substantial risk of death;
43 (e) "substance abuse treatment" means treatment obtained at a substance abuse program
44 that is approved by the Board of Substance Abuse in accordance with Section 62A-8-107 ;
45 (f) "substance abuse treatment program" means a state licensed substance abuse program;
46 (g) a violation of this section includes a violation under a local ordinance similar to this
47 section adopted in compliance with Section 41-6-43 ; and
48 (h) the standard of negligence is that of simple negligence, the failure to exercise that
49 degree of care that an ordinarily reasonable and prudent person exercises under like or similar
50 circumstances.
51 (2) (a) A person may not operate or be in actual physical control of a vehicle within this
52 state if the person:
53 (i) has sufficient alcohol in his body S [ at the time of operation or actual physical control ] s
53a that
54 a subsequent chemical test [given within two hours of the alleged operation or physical control]
55 shows that the person has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater[; or] at
56 the time of the test;
57 (ii) is under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and
58 any drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle[.]; or

59 (iii) has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at the time of
60 operation or actual physical control.
61 (b) The fact that a person charged with violating this section is or has been legally entitled
62 to use alcohol or a drug is not a defense against any charge of violating this section.
63 (c) Alcohol concentration in the blood shall be based upon grams of alcohol per 100
64 milliliters of blood, and alcohol concentration in the breath shall be based upon grams of alcohol
65 per 210 liters of breath.
66 (3) (a) A person convicted the first or second time of a violation of Subsection (2) is guilty
67 of a:
68 (i) class B misdemeanor; or
69 (ii) class A misdemeanor if the person:
70 (A) has also inflicted bodily injury upon another as a proximate result of having operated
71 the vehicle in a negligent manner;
72 (B) had a passenger under 16 years of age in the vehicle at the time of the offense; or
73 (C) was 21 years of age or older and had a passenger under 18 years of age in the vehicle
74 at the time of the offense.
75 (b) A person convicted of a violation of Subsection (2) is guilty of a third degree felony
76 if the person has also inflicted serious bodily injury upon another as a proximate result of having
77 operated the vehicle in a negligent manner.
78 (4) (a) As part of any sentence imposed the court shall, upon a first conviction, impose a
79 mandatory jail sentence of not less than 48 consecutive hours.
80 (b) The court may, as an alternative to all or part of a jail sentence, require the person to:
81 (i) work in a compensatory-service work program for not less than 24 hours; or
82 (ii) participate in home confinement through the use of electronic monitoring in
83 accordance with Subsection (13).
84 (c) In addition to the jail sentence, compensatory-service work program, or home
85 confinement, the court shall:
86 (i) order the person to participate in a screening and assessment;
87 (ii) order the person to participate in an educational series if the court does not order
88 substance abuse treatment as described under Subsection (4)(d); and
89 (iii) impose a fine of not less than $700.

90 (d) The court may order the person to obtain substance abuse treatment if the substance
91 abuse treatment program determines that substance abuse treatment is appropriate.
92 (e)(i) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(e)(ii), the court may order probation for the
93 person in accordance with Subsection (14).
94 (ii) If there is admissible evidence that the person had a blood alcohol level of .16 or
95 higher, the court shall order probation for the person in accordance with Subsection (14).
96 (5) (a) If a person is convicted under Subsection (2) within ten years of a prior conviction
97 under this section, the court shall as part of any sentence impose a mandatory jail sentence of not
98 less than 240 consecutive hours.
99 (b) The court may, as an alternative to all or part of a jail sentence, require the person to:
100 (i) work in a compensatory-service work program for not less than 240 hours; or
101 (ii) participate in home confinement through the use of electronic monitoring in
102 accordance with Subsection (13).
103 (c) In addition to the jail sentence, compensatory-service work program, or home
104 confinement, the court shall:
105 (i) order the person to participate in a screening and assessment;
106 (ii) order the person to participate in an educational series if the court does not order
107 substance abuse treatment as described under Subsection (5)(d); and
108 (iii) impose a fine of not less than $800.
109 (d) The court may order the person to obtain substance abuse treatment if the substance
110 abuse treatment program determines that substance abuse treatment is appropriate.
111 (e) The court shall order probation for the person in accordance with Subsection (14).
112 (6) (a) A conviction for a violation of Subsection (2) is a third degree felony if it is
113 committed:
114 (i) within ten years of two or more prior convictions under this section; or
115 (ii) at any time after a conviction of:
116 (A) automobile homicide under Section 76-5-207 that is committed after July 1, 2001; or
117 (B) a felony violation under this section that is committed after July 1, 2001.
118 (b) Under Subsection (3)(b) or (6)(a), if the court suspends the execution of a prison
119 sentence and places the defendant on probation the court shall impose:
120 (i) a fine of not less than $1,500; and

121 (ii) a mandatory jail sentence of not less than 1,500 hours.
122 (c) For Subsection (6)(a) or (b), the court shall impose an order requiring the person to
123 obtain a screening and assessment and substance abuse treatment at a substance abuse treatment
124 program providing intensive care or inpatient treatment and long-term closely supervised
125 follow-through after treatment for not less than 240 hours.
126 (d) In addition to the penalties required under Subsection (6)(b), the court may require the
127 person to participate in home confinement through the use of electronic monitoring in accordance
128 with Subsection (13).
129 (7) The mandatory portion of any sentence required under this section may not be
130 suspended and the convicted person is not eligible for parole or probation until any sentence
131 imposed under this section has been served. Probation or parole resulting from a conviction for
132 a violation under this section may not be terminated.
133 (8) (a) (i) The provisions in Subsections (4), (5), and (6) that require a sentencing court to
134 order a convicted person to: participate in a screening and assessment; and an educational series;
135 obtain, in the discretion of the court, substance abuse treatment; obtain, mandatorily, substance
136 abuse treatment; or do a combination of those things, apply to a conviction for a violation of
137 Section 41-6-44.6 or 41-6-45 under Subsection (9).
138 (ii) The court shall render the same order regarding screening and assessment, an
139 educational series, or substance abuse treatment in connection with a first, second, or subsequent
140 conviction under Section 41-6-44.6 or 41-6-45 under Subsection (9), as the court would render in
141 connection with applying respectively, the first, second, or subsequent conviction requirements of
142 Subsections (4), (5), and (6).
143 (b) If a person fails to complete all court ordered screening and assessment, educational
144 series, and substance abuse treatment, or fails to pay all fines and fees, including fees for restitution
145 and treatment costs, the court shall notify the Driver License Division of a failure to comply. Upon
146 receiving the notification, the division shall suspend the person's driving privilege in accordance
147 with Subsections 53-3-221 (2) and (3).
148 (9) (a) (i) When the prosecution agrees to a plea of guilty or no contest to a charge of a
149 violation of Section 41-6-45 , of an ordinance enacted under Section 41-6-43 , or of Section
150 41-6-44.6 in satisfaction of, or as a substitute for, an original charge of a violation of this section,
151 the prosecution shall state for the record a factual basis for the plea, including whether or not there

152 had been consumption of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, by the defendant in connection
153 with the violation.
154 (ii) The statement is an offer of proof of the facts that shows whether there was
155 consumption of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, by the defendant, in connection with the
156 violation.
157 (b) The court shall advise the defendant before accepting the plea offered under this
158 Subsection (9)(b) of the consequences of a violation of Section 41-6-44.6 or of Section 41-6-45 .
159 (c) The court shall notify the Driver License Division of each conviction of Section
160 41-6-44.6 or 41-6-45 entered under this Subsection (9).
161 (10) A peace officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person for a violation of this section
162 when the officer has probable cause to believe the violation has occurred, although not in his
163 presence, and if the officer has probable cause to believe that the violation was committed by the
164 person.
165 (11) (a) The Driver License Division shall:
166 (i) suspend for 90 days the operator's license of a person convicted for the first time under
167 Subsection (2);
168 (ii) revoke for one year the license of a person convicted of any subsequent offense under
169 Subsection (2) if the violation is committed within a period of ten years from the date of the prior
170 violation; and
171 (iii) suspend or revoke the license of a person as ordered by the court under Subsection
172 (12).
173 (b) The Driver License Division shall subtract from any suspension or revocation period
174 the number of days for which a license was previously suspended under Section 53-3-223 or
175 53-3-231 , if the previous suspension was based on the same occurrence upon which the record of
176 conviction is based.
177 (12) (a) In addition to any other penalties provided in this section, a court may order the
178 operator's license of a person who is convicted of a violation of Subsection (2) to be suspended
179 or revoked for an additional period of 90 days, 180 days, one year, or two years to remove from
180 the highways those persons who have shown they are safety hazards.
181 (b) If the court suspends or revokes the person's license under this Subsection (12)(b), the
182 court shall prepare and send to the Driver License Division an order to suspend or revoke that

183 person's driving privileges for a specified period of time.
184 (13) (a) If the court orders a person to participate in home confinement through the use of
185 electronic monitoring, the electronic monitoring shall alert the appropriate corrections, probation
186 monitoring agency, law enforcement units, or contract provider of the defendant's whereabouts.
187 (b) The electronic monitoring device shall be used under conditions which require:
188 (i) the person to wear an electronic monitoring device at all times;
189 (ii) that a device be placed in the home or other specified location of the person, so that
190 the person's compliance with the court's order may be monitored; and
191 (iii) the person to pay the costs of the electronic monitoring.
192 (c) The court shall order the appropriate entity described in Subsection (13)(e) to place an
193 electronic monitoring device on the person and install electronic monitoring equipment in the
194 residence of the person or other specified location.
195 (d) The court may:
196 (i) require the person's electronic home monitoring device to include a substance abuse
197 testing instrument;
198 (ii) restrict the amount of alcohol the person may consume during the time the person is
199 subject to home confinement;
200 (iii) set specific time and location conditions that allow the person to attend school
201 educational classes, or employment and to travel directly between those activities and the person's
202 home; and
203 (iv) waive all or part of the costs associated with home confinement if the person is
204 determined to be indigent by the court.
205 (e) The electronic monitoring described in this section may either be administered directly
206 by the appropriate corrections agency, probation monitoring agency, or by contract with a private
207 provider.
208 (f) The electronic monitoring provider shall cover the costs of waivers by the court under
209 Subsection (13)(c)(iv).
210 (14) (a) If supervised probation is ordered under Section 41-6-44.6 or Subsection (4)(e)
211 or (5)(e):
212 (i) the court shall specify the period of the probation;
213 (ii) the person shall pay all of the costs of the probation; and

214 (iii) the court may order any other conditions of the probation.
215 (b) The court shall provide the probation described in this section by contract with a
216 probation monitoring agency or a private probation provider.
217 (c) The probation provider described in Subsection (14)(b) shall monitor the person's
218 compliance with all conditions of the person's sentence, conditions of probation, and court orders
219 received under this article and shall notify the court of any failure to comply with or complete that
220 sentence or those conditions or orders.
221 (d) (i) The court may waive all or part of the costs associated with probation if the person
222 is determined to be indigent by the court.
223 (ii) The probation provider described in Subsection (14)(b) shall cover the costs of waivers
224 by the court under Subsection (14)(d)(i).
225 (15) If a person is convicted of a violation of Subsection (2) and there is admissible
226 evidence that the person had a blood alcohol level of .16 or higher, then if the court does not order:
227 (a) treatment as described under Subsection (4)(d), (5)(d), or (6)(b)(iii), then the court shall
228 enter the reasons on the record; and
229 (b) the following penalties, the court shall enter the reasons on the record:
230 (i) the installation of an ignition interlock system as a condition of probation for the person
231 in accordance with Section 41-6-44.7 ; or
232 (ii) the imposition of home confinement through the use of electronic monitoring in
233 accordance with Subsection (13).
234 Section 2. Section 41-6-44.5 is amended to read:
235 41-6-44.5. Admissibility of chemical test results in actions for driving under the
236 influence -- Weight of evidence.
237 (1) (a) In any civil or criminal action or proceeding in which it is material to prove that a
238 person was operating or in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol
239 or drugs or with a blood or breath alcohol content statutorily prohibited, the results of a chemical
240 test or tests as authorized in Section 41-6-44.10 are admissible as evidence.
241 (b) In a criminal proceeding, noncompliance with Section 41-6-44.10 does not render the
242 results of a chemical test inadmissible. Evidence of a defendant's blood or breath alcohol content
243 or drug content is admissible except when prohibited by Rules of Evidence or the constitution.
244 [(2) If the chemical test was taken more than two hours after the alleged driving or actual

245 physical control, the test result is admissible as evidence of the person's blood or breath alcohol
246 level at the time of the alleged operating or actual physical control, but the trier of fact shall
247 determine what weight is given to the result of the test.]
248 [(3)] (2) This section does not prevent a court from receiving otherwise admissible
249 evidence as to a defendant's blood or breath alcohol level or drug level at the time [of the alleged
250 operating or actual physical control] relevant to the alleged offense.
251 Section 3. Section 41-6-44.12 is amended to read:
252 41-6-44.12. Reporting test results -- Immunity from liability.
253 (1) As used in this section, "health care provider" means a person licensed under Title 58,
254 Chapter 31b, Nurse Practice Act, Title 58, Chapter 67, Utah Medical Practice Act, or Title 58,
255 Chapter 68, Utah Osteopathic Medical Practice Act.
256 (2) A health care provider who is providing medical care to any person involved in a motor
257 vehicle crash may notify, as soon as reasonably possible, the nearest peace officer or law
258 enforcement agency if the health care provider has reason to believe, as a result of any test
259 performed in the course of medical treatment, that the:
260 (a) person's blood alcohol concentration meets or exceeds the limit under Subsection
261 41-6-44 (2)(a)(i) or (iii);
262 (b) person is younger than 21 years of age and has any measurable blood, breath, or urine
263 alcohol concentration in the person's body; or
264 (c) person has any measurable controlled substance or metabolite of a controlled substance
265 in the person's body which could be a violation of Subsection 41-6-44 (2)(a)(ii) or Section
266 41-6-44.6 .
267 (3) The report under Subsection (2) shall consist of the:
268 (a) name of the person being treated;
269 (b) date and time of the administration of the test; and
270 (c) results disclosed by the test.
271 (4) A health care provider participating in good faith in making a report or assisting an
272 investigator from a law enforcement agency pursuant to this section is immune from any liability,
273 civil or criminal, that otherwise might result by reason of those actions.
274 (5) A report under Subsection (2) may not be used to support a finding of probable cause
275 that a person who is not a driver of a vehicle has committed an offense.

276 Section 4. Section 53-3-418 is amended to read:
277 53-3-418. Prohibited alcohol level for drivers -- Procedures, including hearing.
278 (1) A person who holds or is required to hold a CDL may not drive a commercial motor
279 vehicle in this state if the person:
280 (a) has [a blood, breath, or urine alcohol concentration of .04 grams or greater as shown
281 by a chemical test given within two hours] sufficient alcohol in his body S [ at the time of operation
282 or actual physical control ] s that a subsequent chemical test shows that the person has a blood or
283 breath alcohol concentration of .04 grams or greater at the time of the test after the alleged driving
284 of the commercial motor vehicle; or
285 (b) is under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and
286 any drug to [any] degree that renders the person incapable of safely driving a commercial motor
287 vehicle[.]; or
288 (c) has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .04 grams or greater at the time of
289 driving the commercial motor vehicle.
290 (2) A person who holds or is required to hold a CDL and who drives a commercial motor
291 vehicle in this state is considered to have given his consent to a test or tests of his blood, breath,
292 or urine to determine the concentration of alcohol or the presence of other drugs in his physical
293 system.
294 (3) If a peace officer or port-of-entry agent has reasonable cause to believe that a person
295 may be violating this section, the peace officer or port-of-entry agent may request the person to
296 submit to a chemical test to be administered in compliance with Section 41-6-44.3 .
297 (4) When a peace officer or port-of-entry agent requests a person to submit to a test under
298 this section, he shall advise the person that test results indicating .04 grams or greater alcohol
299 concentration or refusal to submit to any test requested will result in the person's disqualification
300 under Section 53-3-414 from driving a commercial motor vehicle.
301 (5) If test results under this section indicate .04 grams or greater of alcohol concentration
302 or the person refuses to submit to any test requested under this section, the peace officer or
303 port-of-entry agent shall on behalf of the division serve the person with immediate notice of the
304 division's intention to disqualify the person's privilege to drive a commercial motor vehicle.
305 (6) When the peace officer or port-of-entry agent serves notice under Subsection (5) he
306 shall:

307 (a) take any Utah license certificate or permit held by the driver;
308 (b) issue to the driver a temporary license certificate effective for 29 days;
309 (c) provide the driver, in a manner specified by the division, basic information regarding
310 how to obtain a prompt hearing before the division; and
311 (d) issue a 24-hour out-of-service order.
312 (7) A notice of disqualification issued under Subsection (6) may serve also as the
313 temporary license certificate under that subsection, if the form is approved by the division.
314 (8) As a matter of procedure, the peace officer or port-of-entry agent serving the notice of
315 disqualification shall, within ten calendar days after the date of service, send to the division the
316 person's license certificate, a copy of the served notice, and a report signed by the peace officer or
317 port-of-entry agent that indicates the results of any chemical test administered or that the person
318 refused a test.
319 (9) (a) The person has the right to a hearing regarding the disqualification.
320 (b) The request for the hearing shall be submitted to the division in a manner specified by
321 the division and shall be made within ten calendar days of the date the notice was issued. If
322 requested, the hearing shall be conducted within 29 days after the notice was issued.
323 (10) (a) A hearing held under this section shall be held before the division and in the
324 county where the notice was issued, unless the division agrees to hold the hearing in another
325 county.
326 (b) The hearing shall be documented and shall determine:
327 (i) whether the peace officer or port-of-entry agent had reasonable grounds to believe the
328 person had been driving a motor vehicle in violation of this section;
329 (ii) whether the person refused to submit to any requested test; and
330 (iii) any test results obtained.
331 (c) In connection with a hearing the division or its authorized agent may administer oaths
332 and may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses and the production of relevant books and
333 documents.
334 (d) One or more members of the division may conduct the hearing.
335 (e) A decision made after a hearing before any number of members of the division is as
336 valid as if the hearing were held before the full membership of the division.
337 (f) After a hearing under this section the division shall indicate by order if the person's

338 CDL is disqualified.
339 (g) If the person for whom the hearing is held fails to appear before the division as required
340 in the notice, the division shall indicate by order if the person's CDL is disqualified.
341 (11) If the division disqualifies a person under this section, the person may petition for a
342 hearing under Section 53-3-224 . The petition shall be filed within 30 days after the division issues
343 the disqualification.
344 (12) (a) A person who violates this section shall be punished in accordance with Section
345 53-3-414 .
346 (b) In accordance with Section 53-3-414 , the first disqualification under this section shall
347 be for one year, and a second disqualification shall be for life.
348 (13) (a) In addition to the fees imposed under Section 53-3-205 for reinstatement of a
349 CDL, a fee under Section 53-3-105 to cover administrative costs shall be paid before the driving
350 privilege is reinstated.
351 (b) The fees under Sections 53-3-105 and 53-3-205 shall be canceled if an unappealed
352 hearing at the division or court level determines the disqualification was not proper.
353 Section 5. Section 72-10-501 is amended to read:
354 72-10-501. Flying under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or with specified or unsafe
355 blood alcohol concentration -- Calculations of blood or breath alcohol -- Criminal
356 punishment -- Arrest without warrant.
357 (1) (a) A person may not operate or be in actual physical control of an aircraft within this
358 state if the person:
359 (i) [has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .04 grams or greater as shown by a
360 chemical test given within two hours after the alleged operation or physical control; or] has
361 sufficient alcohol in his body S [ at the time of operation or actual physical control ] s that a
361a subsequent
362 chemical test shows that the person has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .04 grams or
363 greater at the time of the test;
364 (ii) is under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and
365 any drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating an aircraft[.]; or
366 (iii) has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .04 grams or greater at the time of
367 operation or actual physical control.
368 (b) The fact that a person charged with violating this section is or has been legally entitled

369 to use alcohol or a drug is not a defense against any charge of violating this section.
370 (2) [Alcohol concentration in the blood shall be based upon grams of alcohol per 100
371 milliliters of blood, and alcohol concentration in the breath shall be based upon grams of alcohol
372 per 210 liters of breath.] Calculations of blood or breath alcohol concentration under this section
373 shall be made in accordance with Subsection 41-6-44 (2).
374 (3) (a) A person convicted of a violation of Subsection (1) is guilty of a:
375 (i) class B misdemeanor; or
376 (ii) class A misdemeanor if the person has also inflicted bodily injury upon another as a
377 proximate result of having operated the aircraft in a negligent manner.
378 (b) In this section, the standard of negligence is that of simple negligence, the failure to
379 exercise that degree of care that an ordinarily reasonable and prudent person exercises under like
380 or similar circumstances.
381 (4) A peace officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person for a violation of this section
382 when the officer has probable cause to believe:
383 (a) the violation has occurred, although not in the officer's presence; and
384 (b) the violation was committed by that person.
385 Section 6. Section 72-10-504 is amended to read:
386 72-10-504. Admissibility of chemical test results in actions for flying under the
387 influence -- Weight of evidence.
388 (1) (a) In any civil or criminal action or proceeding in which it is material to prove that a
389 person was operating or in actual physical control of an aircraft while under the influence of
390 alcohol, drugs, or with a blood or breath alcohol content statutorily prohibited, the results of a
391 chemical test or tests as authorized in Section 72-10-502 are admissible as evidence.
392 (b) (i) In a criminal proceeding, noncompliance with Section 72-10-502 does not render
393 the results of the chemical test inadmissible.
394 (ii) Evidence of a defendant's blood or breath alcohol content or drug content is admissible
395 except when prohibited by Rules of Evidence or the constitution.
396 [(2) If the chemical test was taken more than two hours after the alleged flying or actual
397 physical control, the test result is admissible as evidence of the person's blood or breath alcohol
398 level at the time of the alleged operating or actual physical control, but the trier of fact shall
399 determine what weight is given to the result of the test.]

400 [(3)] (2) This section does not prevent a court from receiving otherwise admissible
401 evidence as to a defendant's blood or breath alcohol level or drug level at the time [of the alleged
402 operating or actual physical control] relevant to the alleged offense.
403 Section 7. Section 73-18-12.2 is amended to read:
404 73-18-12.2. Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs or with high blood or
405 breath alcohol content -- Criminal punishment -- Arrest without a warrant.
406 (1) (a) [It is unlawful and punishable as provided in this section for any] A person [to] may
407 not operate a vessel on the waters of this state if the person:
408 (i) [the person has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater, as
409 shown by any chemical test given within two hours after the alleged operation; or] has sufficient
410 alcohol in his body S [ at the time of operation ] s that a subsequent chemical test shows that the
410a person
411 has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at the time of the test;
412 (ii) [the person] is under the influence of alcohol or any drug or the combined influence
413 of alcohol and any drug to a degree which renders the person incapable of safely operating a
414 vessel[.]; or
415 (iii) has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at the time of
416 operation or actual physical control.
417 (b) The fact that a person charged with violating this section is or has been legally entitled
418 to use alcohol or a drug is not a defense against any charge of violating this section.
419 (2) [Alcohol concentration in the blood shall be based upon grams of alcohol per 100
420 milliliters of blood, and alcohol concentration in the breath shall be based upon grams of alcohol
421 per 210 liters of breath.] Calculations of blood or breath alcohol concentration under this section
422 shall be made in accordance with Subsection 41-6-44 (2).
423 (3) For the purposes of this section, the standard of negligence is that of simple negligence,
424 the failure to exercise that degree of care which an ordinarily reasonable and prudent person
425 exercises under like or similar circumstances.
426 (4) (a) Every person who is convicted of a violation of Subsection (1) is guilty of a class
427 B misdemeanor, however, if the person has inflicted a bodily injury upon another as a proximate
428 result of having operated the vessel in a negligent manner, he is guilty of a class A misdemeanor.
429 (b) No portion of any sentence imposed under Subsection (4)(a) may be suspended.
430 (5) In addition to the penalties provided for in Subsection (4), the court shall, upon a first

431 conviction of a violation of this section:
432 (a) impose a mandatory jail sentence of not less than 48 consecutive hours nor more than
433 240 hours, with emphasis on serving in the drunk tank of the jail, or require the person to work in
434 a compensatory-service work program for not less than 24 nor more than 50 hours; and
435 (b) order the person to participate in an assessment and educational series at a licensed
436 alcohol rehabilitation facility.
437 (6) Upon a second conviction within five years after a first conviction under this section
438 or under a local ordinance similar to this section adopted in compliance with Section 73-18-12.1 ,
439 the court shall, in addition to the penalties provided for in Subsection (4):
440 (a) impose a mandatory jail sentence of not less than 240 consecutive hours nor more than
441 720 hours, with emphasis on serving in the drunk tank of the jail, or require the person to work in
442 a compensatory-service work program for not less than 80 nor more than 240 hours; and
443 (b) order the person to participate in an assessment and educational series at a licensed
444 alcohol rehabilitation facility. The court may, in its discretion, order the person to obtain treatment
445 at an alcohol rehabilitation facility.
446 (7) Upon a subsequent conviction within five years after a second conviction under this
447 section or under a local ordinance similar to this section adopted in compliance with Section
448 73-18-12.1 , the court shall, in addition to the penalties provided for in Subsection (4):
449 (a) impose a mandatory jail sentence of not less than 720 consecutive hours nor more than
450 2,160 hours with emphasis on serving in the drunk tank of the jail, or require the person to work
451 in a compensatory-service work program for not less than 240 nor more than 720 hours; and
452 (b) order the person to obtain treatment at an alcohol rehabilitation facility.
453 (8) A person convicted of a violation of this section is not eligible for parole or probation
454 until any sentence imposed under this section has been served. Probation or parole resulting from
455 a conviction for a violation of this section or a local ordinance similar to this section adopted in
456 compliance with Section 73-18-12.1 may not be terminated until all fines and fees, including fees
457 for restitution and rehabilitation costs, assessed against the convicted person, have been paid.
458 (9) (a) The provisions in Subsections (5), (6), and (7) requiring a sentencing court to order
459 a convicted person to participate in an assessment and educational series at a licensed alcohol
460 rehabilitation facility or to obtain treatment at an alcohol rehabilitation facility apply to a
461 conviction for a violation of Section 73-18-12 that qualifies as a prior offense under Subsection

462 (10). A court shall render the same order regarding education or treatment at an alcohol
463 rehabilitation facility for a first, second, or subsequent conviction under Section 73-18-12 that
464 qualifies as a prior offense under Subsection (10), as the court would render for a first, second, or
465 subsequent conviction of a violation of Subsection (1).
466 (b) For purposes of determining whether a conviction under Section 73-18-12 which
467 qualified as a prior conviction under Subsection (10) is a first, second, or subsequent conviction
468 under this Subsection (9), a previous conviction under either Section 73-18-12 or 73-18-12.2 is
469 considered a prior conviction. Any alcohol rehabilitation program and any community-based or
470 other education program provided for in this section shall be approved by the Department of
471 Human Services.
472 (10) (a) When the prosecution agrees to a plea of guilty or no contest to a charge of a
473 violation of Section 73-18-12 or of a local ordinance similar to that section adopted in compliance
474 with Section 73-18-12.1 , the prosecution shall state for the record a factual basis for the plea,
475 including whether there had been consumption of alcohol or drugs by the defendant in connection
476 with the offense. The statement shall be an offer of proof of the facts which shows whether there
477 was consumption of alcohol or drugs in connection with the offense.
478 (b) The court shall advise the defendant before accepting the plea offered under this
479 subsection of the consequences of a violation of Section 73-18-12 as follows. If the court accepts
480 the defendant's plea of guilty or no contest to a charge of violating Section 73-18-12 , and the
481 prosecutor states for the record that there was consumption of alcohol or drugs by the defendant
482 in connection with the offense, the resulting conviction is a prior offense for the purposes of
483 Subsection (9).
484 (11) A peace officer may, without a warrant, arrest a person for a violation of this section
485 when the peace officer has probable cause to believe the violation has occurred, although not in
486 his presence, and if the peace officer has probable cause to believe that the violation was
487 committed by the person.
488 Section 8. Section 73-18-12.4 is amended to read:
489 73-18-12.4. Operating under the influence -- Admissibility of chemical test -- Other
490 evidence.
491 (1) In any action or proceeding in which it is material to prove that a person was operating
492 a vessel while under the influence of alcohol or with a blood or breath alcohol content statutorily

493 prohibited, the results of any chemical test as authorized in Section 73-18-12.6 are admissible as
494 evidence.
495 [(2) If the chemical test was taken more than two hours after the alleged operation, the test
496 result is admissible as evidence of the person's blood or breath alcohol level at the time of the
497 alleged operation, but the trier of fact shall determine what weight shall be given to the test
498 results.]
499 [(3)] (2) The provisions of this section do not prevent a court from receiving any other
500 admissible evidence as to a defendant's blood or breath alcohol level at the time [of the alleged
501 operation] relevant to the alleged offense.
502 Section 9. Section 76-5-207 is amended to read:
503 76-5-207. Automobile homicide.
504 (1) (a) Criminal homicide is automobile homicide, a third degree felony, if the [actor]
505 person operates a motor vehicle [while having a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater by
506 weight, or while under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and
507 any drug, to a degree that renders the actor incapable of safely operating the vehicle, and causes
508 the death of another by operating the vehicle] in a negligent manner[.] causing the death of another
509 and:
510 (i) has sufficient alcohol in his body S [ at the time of operation ] s that a subsequent
510a chemical
511 test shows that the person has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at
512 the time of the test;
513 (ii) is under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and
514 any drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle; or
515 (iii) has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at the time of
516 operation.
517 (b) For the purpose of this subsection, "negligent" means simple negligence, the failure
518 to exercise that degree of care that reasonable and prudent persons exercise under like or similar
519 circumstances.
520 (2) (a) Criminal homicide is automobile homicide, a second degree felony, if the [actor]
521 person operates a motor vehicle [while having a blood alcohol content of .08% or greater by
522 weight, or while under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and
523 any drug, to a degree that renders the actor incapable of safely operating the vehicle, and causes

524 the death of another by operating the motor vehicle] in a criminally negligent manner[.] causing
525 the death of another and:
526 (i) has sufficient alcohol in his body S [ at the time of operation ] s that a subsequent
526a chemical
527 test shows that the person has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at
528 the time of the test;
529 (ii) is under the influence of alcohol, any drug, or the combined influence of alcohol and
530 any drug to a degree that renders the person incapable of safely operating a vehicle; or
531 (iii) has a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .08 grams or greater at the time of
532 operation.
533 (b) For the purpose of this [subsection] section, "criminally negligent" means criminal
534 negligence as defined by Subsection 76-2-103 (4).
535 (3) The standards for chemical breath analysis as provided by Section 41-6-44.3 and the
536 provisions for the admissibility of chemical test results as provided by Section 41-6-44.5 apply to
537 determination and proof of blood alcohol content under this section.
538 (4) [Percent by weight of alcohol in the blood is based upon grams of alcohol per one
539 hundred cubic centimeters of blood.] Calculations of blood or breath alcohol concentration under
540 this section shall be made in accordance with Subsection 41-6-44 (2).
541 (5) The fact that a person charged with violating this section is [on] or has been legally
542 entitled to use alcohol or a drug is not a defense to any charge of violating this section.
543 (6) Evidence of a defendant's blood or breath alcohol content or drug content is admissible
544 except when prohibited by Rules of Evidence or the constitution.
545 (7) For purposes of this section, "motor vehicle" means any self-propelled vehicle and
546 includes any automobile, truck, van, motorcycle, train, engine, watercraft, or aircraft.




Legislative Review Note
as of 10-25-01 11:43 AM

A limited legal review of this legislation raises no obvious constitutional or statutory concerns.

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel

Committee Note

The Transportation Interim Committee recommended this bill.