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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 at the time of operation or actual physical control 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 at the time of operation
             282      or actual physical control 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 at the time of operation or actual physical control that a 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 at the time of operation that a subsequent chemical test shows that the 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 at the time of operation that a subsequent 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 at the time of operation that a subsequent 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.


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