1     
DRIVING UNDER THE INFLUENCE SENTENCING

2     
REVISIONS

3     
2015 GENERAL SESSION

4     
STATE OF UTAH

5     
Chief Sponsor: Scott K. Jenkins

6     
House Sponsor: Lee B. Perry

7     

8     LONG TITLE
9     General Description:
10          This bill modifies provisions relating to sentencing requirements for driving under the
11     influence violations.
12     Highlighted Provisions:
13          This bill:
14          ▸     provides that an impaired driving plea is not available to a person who has certain
15     prior convictions;
16          ▸     requires the court to impose, for a felony driving under the influence violation, an
17     order requiring the person to obtain a screening and assessment for alcohol and
18     substance abuse and treatment as appropriate;
19          ▸     requires the court to order the installation of the ignition interlock system, at the
20     person's expense, for all motor vehicles registered to that person and all motor
21     vehicles operated by that person if a person is convicted of a driving under the
22     influence violation within 10 years of a prior conviction;
23          ▸     provides that a person who operates a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock
24     device as ordered by the court is in violation of driving without an ignition interlock
25     system; and
26          ▸     makes technical corrections.
27     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
28          None
29     Other Special Clauses:

30          None
31     Utah Code Sections Affected:
32     AMENDS:
33          41-6a-502.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2010, Chapter 109
34          41-6a-505, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 71
35          41-6a-512, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2008, Chapter 226
36          41-6a-518, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 421
37     

38     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
39          Section 1. Section 41-6a-502.5 is amended to read:
40          41-6a-502.5. Impaired driving -- Penalty -- Reporting of convictions -- Sentencing
41     requirements.
42          (1) With the agreement of the prosecutor, a plea to a class B misdemeanor violation of
43     Section 41-6a-502 committed on or after July 1, 2008, may be entered as a conviction of
44     impaired driving under this section if:
45          (a) the defendant completes court ordered probation requirements; or
46          (b) (i) the prosecutor agrees as part of a negotiated plea; and
47          (ii) the court finds the plea to be in the interest of justice.
48          (2) A conviction entered under this section is a class B misdemeanor.
49          (3) (a) (i) If the entry of an impaired driving plea is based on successful completion of
50     probation under Subsection (1)(a), the court shall enter the conviction at the time of the plea.
51          (ii) If the defendant fails to appear before the court and establish successful completion
52     of the court ordered probation requirements under Subsection (1)(a), the court shall enter an
53     amended conviction of Section 41-6a-502.
54          (iii) The date of entry of the amended order under Subsection (3)(a)(ii) is the date of
55     conviction.
56          (b) The court may enter a conviction of impaired driving immediately under
57     Subsection (1)(b).

58          (4) For purposes of Section 76-3-402, the entry of a plea to a class B misdemeanor
59     violation of Section 41-6a-502 as impaired driving under this section is a reduction of one
60     degree.
61          (5) (a) The court shall notify the Driver License Division of each conviction entered
62     under this section.
63          (b) Beginning on July 1, 2012, a court shall, monthly, send to the Division of
64     Occupational and Professional Licensing, created in Section 58-1-103, a report containing the
65     name, case number, and, if known, the date of birth of each person convicted during the
66     preceding month of a violation of this section for whom there is evidence that the person was
67     driving while impaired, in whole or in part, by a prescribed controlled substance.
68          (6) (a) The provisions in Subsections 41-6a-505(1), (2), and [(3)] (4) that require a
69     sentencing court to order a convicted person to participate in a screening, an assessment, or an
70     educational series, or obtain substance abuse treatment or do a combination of those things,
71     apply to a conviction entered under this section.
72          (b) The court shall render the same order regarding screening, assessment, an
73     educational series, or substance abuse treatment in connection with a first, second, or
74     subsequent conviction under this section as the court would render in connection with applying
75     respectively, the first, second, or subsequent conviction requirements of Subsection
76     41-6a-505(1), (2), or [(3)] (4).
77          (7) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (7)(b), a report authorized by Section
78     53-3-104 may not contain any evidence of a conviction for impaired driving in this state if the
79     reporting court notifies the Driver License Division that the defendant is participating in or has
80     successfully completed the program of a driving under the influence court.
81          (b) The provisions of Subsection (7)(a) do not apply to a report concerning:
82          (i) a CDL license holder; or
83          (ii) a violation that occurred in a commercial motor vehicle.
84          (8) The provisions of this section are not available to a person who has a prior
85     conviction as that term is defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2).

86          Section 2. Section 41-6a-505 is amended to read:
87          41-6a-505. Sentencing requirements for driving under the influence of alcohol,
88     drugs, or a combination of both violations.
89          (1) As part of any sentence for a first conviction of Section 41-6a-502:
90          (a) the court shall:
91          (i) (A) impose a jail sentence of not less than 48 consecutive hours;
92          (B) require the person to work in a compensatory-service work program for not less
93     than 48 hours; or
94          (C) require the person to participate in home confinement of not fewer than 48
95     consecutive hours through the use of electronic monitoring in accordance with Section
96     41-6a-506;
97          (ii) order the person to participate in a screening;
98          (iii) order the person to participate in an assessment, if it is found appropriate by a
99     screening under Subsection (1)(a)(ii);
100          (iv) order the person to participate in an educational series if the court does not order
101     substance abuse treatment as described under Subsection (1)(b);
102          (v) impose a fine of not less than $700; and
103          (vi) order probation for the person in accordance with Section 41-6a-507, if there is
104     admissible evidence that the person had a blood alcohol level of .16 or higher; and
105          (b) the court may:
106          (i) order the person to obtain substance abuse treatment if the substance abuse
107     treatment program determines that substance abuse treatment is appropriate; or
108          (ii) order probation for the person in accordance with Section 41-6a-507.
109          (2) If a person is convicted under Section 41-6a-502 within 10 years of a prior
110     conviction as defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2):
111          (a) the court shall:
112          (i) (A) impose a jail sentence of not less than 240 consecutive hours;
113          (B) require the person to work in a compensatory-service work program for not less

114     than 240 hours; or
115          (C) require the person to participate in home confinement of not fewer than 240
116     consecutive hours through the use of electronic monitoring in accordance with Section
117     41-6a-506;
118          (ii) order the person to participate in a screening;
119          (iii) order the person to participate in an assessment, if it is found appropriate by a
120     screening under Subsection (2)(a)(ii);
121          (iv) order the person to participate in an educational series if the court does not order
122     substance abuse treatment as described under Subsection (2)(b);
123          (v) impose a fine of not less than $800; and
124          (vi) order probation for the person in accordance with Section 41-6a-507; and
125          (b) the court may order the person to obtain substance abuse treatment if the substance
126     abuse treatment program determines that substance abuse treatment is appropriate.
127          (3) Under Subsection 41-6a-503(2), if the court suspends the execution of a prison
128     sentence and places the defendant on probation:
129          (a) the court shall impose:
130          (i) a fine of not less than $1,500;
131          (ii) a jail sentence of not less than 1,500 hours; and
132          (iii) supervised probation; and
133          [(iv) an order requiring the person to obtain a screening and assessment and substance
134     abuse treatment at a substance abuse treatment program providing intensive care or inpatient
135     treatment and long-term closely supervised follow-through after treatment for not less than 240
136     hours; and]
137          (b) in lieu of Subsection (3)(a)(ii), the court may require the person to participate in
138     home confinement of not fewer than 1,500 hours through the use of electronic monitoring in
139     accordance with Section 41-6a-506.
140          (4) For Subsection (3)(a) or Subsection 41-6a-503(2)(b), the court shall impose an
141     order requiring the person to obtain a screening and assessment for alcohol and substance

142     abuse, and treatment as appropriate.
143          [(4)] (5) (a) The requirements of Subsections (1)(a), (2)(a), [and] (3)(a), and (4) may
144     not be suspended.
145          (b) Probation or parole resulting from a conviction for a violation under this section
146     may not be terminated.
147          [(5)] (6) If a person is convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502 and there is
148     admissible evidence that the person had a blood alcohol level of .16 or higher, the court shall
149     order the following, or describe on record why the order or orders are not appropriate:
150          (a) treatment as described under Subsection (1)(b), (2)(b), or [(3)(a)(iv)] (4); and
151          (b) one or more of the following:
152          (i) the installation of an ignition interlock system as a condition of probation for the
153     person in accordance with Section 41-6a-518;
154          (ii) the imposition of an ankle attached continuous transdermal alcohol monitoring
155     device as a condition of probation for the person; or
156          (iii) the imposition of home confinement through the use of electronic monitoring in
157     accordance with Section 41-6a-506.
158          Section 3. Section 41-6a-512 is amended to read:
159          41-6a-512. Factual basis for alcohol or drug-related reckless driving plea.
160          (1) (a) The prosecution shall state for the record a factual basis for a plea, including
161     whether or not there had been consumption of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, by the
162     defendant in connection with the violation when the prosecution agrees to a plea of guilty or no
163     contest to a charge of a violation of the following in satisfaction of, or as a substitute for, an
164     original charge of a violation of Section 41-6a-502 for an offense committed before July 1,
165     2008:
166          (i) reckless driving under Section 41-6a-528; or
167          (ii) an ordinance enacted under Section 41-6a-510.
168          (b) The statement under Subsection (1)(a) is an offer of proof of the facts that shows
169     whether there was consumption of alcohol, drugs, or a combination of both, by the defendant,

170     in connection with the violation.
171          (2) The court shall advise the defendant before accepting the plea offered under this
172     section of the consequences of a violation of Section 41-6a-528.
173          (3) The court shall notify the Driver License Division of each conviction of Section
174     41-6a-528 entered under this section.
175          (4) (a) The provisions in Subsections 41-6a-505(1), (2), and [(3)] (4) that require a
176     sentencing court to order a convicted person to participate in a screening, an assessment, or an
177     educational series or obtain substance abuse treatment or do a combination of those things,
178     apply to a conviction for a violation of Section 41-6a-528 under Subsection (1).
179          (b) The court shall render the same order regarding screening, assessment, an
180     educational series, or substance abuse treatment in connection with a first, second, or
181     subsequent conviction under Section 41-6a-528 under Subsection (1), as the court would
182     render in connection with applying respectively, the first, second, or subsequent conviction
183     requirements of Subsections 41-6a-505(1), (2), and [(3)] (4).
184          Section 4. Section 41-6a-518 is amended to read:
185          41-6a-518. Ignition interlock devices -- Use -- Probationer to pay cost --
186     Impecuniosity -- Fee.
187          (1) As used in this section:
188          (a) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of the Department of Public Safety.
189          (b) "Ignition interlock system" or "system" means a constant monitoring device or any
190     similar device certified by the commissioner that prevents a motor vehicle from being started
191     or continuously operated without first determining the driver's breath alcohol concentration.
192          (c) "Probation provider" means the supervisor and monitor of the ignition interlock
193     system required as a condition of probation who contracts with the court in accordance with
194     Subsections 41-6a-507(2) and (3).
195          (2) (a) In addition to any other penalties imposed under Sections 41-6a-503 and
196     41-6a-505, and in addition to any requirements imposed as a condition of probation, the court
197     may require that any person who is convicted of violating Section 41-6a-502 and who is

198     granted probation may not operate a motor vehicle during the period of probation unless that
199     motor vehicle is equipped with a functioning, certified ignition interlock system installed and
200     calibrated so that the motor vehicle will not start or continuously operate if the operator's blood
201     alcohol concentration exceeds a level ordered by the court.
202          (b) If a person convicted of violating Section 41-6a-502 was under the age of 21 when
203     the violation occurred, the court shall order the installation of the ignition interlock system as a
204     condition of probation.
205          (c) (i) If a person is convicted of a violation of Section 41-6a-502 within 10 years of a
206     prior conviction as defined in Subsection 41-6a-501(2), the court shall order the installation of
207     the interlock ignition system, at the person's expense, for all motor vehicles registered to that
208     person and all motor vehicles operated by that person.
209          (ii) A person who operates a motor vehicle without an ignition interlock device as
210     required under this Subsection (2)(c) is in violation of Section 41-6a-518.2.
211          [(c)] (d) The division shall post the ignition interlock restriction on the electronic
212     record available to law enforcement.
213          [(d)] (e) This section does not apply to a person convicted of a violation of Section
214     41-6a-502 whose violation involves drugs other than alcohol.
215          (3) If the court imposes the use of an ignition interlock system as a condition of
216     probation, the court shall:
217          (a) stipulate on the record the requirement for and the period of the use of an ignition
218     interlock system;
219          (b) order that an ignition interlock system be installed on each motor vehicle owned or
220     operated by the probationer, at the probationer's expense;
221          (c) immediately notify the Driver License Division and the person's probation provider
222     of the order; and
223          (d) require the probationer to provide proof of compliance with the court's order to the
224     probation provider within 30 days of the order.
225          (4) (a) The probationer shall provide timely proof of installation within 30 days of an

226     order imposing the use of a system or show cause why the order was not complied with to the
227     court or to the probationer's probation provider.
228          (b) The probation provider shall notify the court of failure to comply under Subsection
229     (4)(a).
230          (c) For failure to comply under Subsection (4)(a) or upon receiving the notification
231     under Subsection (4)(b), the court shall order the Driver License Division to suspend the
232     probationer's driving privileges for the remaining period during which the compliance was
233     imposed.
234          (d) Cause for failure to comply means any reason the court finds sufficiently justifiable
235     to excuse the probationer's failure to comply with the court's order.
236          (5) (a) Any probationer required to install an ignition interlock system shall have the
237     system monitored by the manufacturer or dealer of the system for proper use and accuracy at
238     least semiannually and more frequently as the court may order.
239          (b) (i) A report of the monitoring shall be issued by the manufacturer or dealer to the
240     court or the person's probation provider.
241          (ii) The report shall be issued within 14 days following each monitoring.
242          (6) (a) If an ignition interlock system is ordered installed, the probationer shall pay the
243     reasonable costs of leasing or buying and installing and maintaining the system.
244          (b) A probationer may not be excluded from this section for inability to pay the costs,
245     unless:
246          (i) the probationer files an affidavit of impecuniosity; and
247          (ii) the court enters a finding that the probationer is impecunious.
248          (c) In lieu of waiver of the entire amount of the cost, the court may direct the
249     probationer to make partial or installment payments of costs when appropriate.
250          (d) The ignition interlock provider shall cover the costs of waivers by the court under
251     this Subsection (6).
252          (7) (a) If a probationer is required in the course and scope of employment to operate a
253     motor vehicle owned by the probationer's employer, the probationer may operate that motor

254     vehicle without installation of an ignition interlock system only if:
255          (i) the motor vehicle is used in the course and scope of employment;
256          (ii) the employer has been notified that the employee is restricted; and
257          (iii) the employee has proof of the notification in the employee's possession while
258     operating the employer's motor vehicle.
259          (b) (i) To the extent that an employer-owned motor vehicle is made available to a
260     probationer subject to this section for personal use, no exemption under this section shall apply.
261          (ii) A probationer intending to operate an employer-owned motor vehicle for personal
262     use and who is restricted to the operation of a motor vehicle equipped with an ignition interlock
263     system shall notify the employer and obtain consent in writing from the employer to install a
264     system in the employer-owned motor vehicle.
265          (c) A motor vehicle owned by a business entity that is all or partly owned or controlled
266     by a probationer subject to this section is not a motor vehicle owned by the employer and does
267     not qualify for an exemption under this Subsection (7).
268          (8) (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act,
269     the commissioner shall make rules setting standards for the certification of ignition interlock
270     systems.
271          (b) The standards under Subsection (8)(a) shall require that the system:
272          (i) not impede the safe operation of the motor vehicle;
273          (ii) have features that make circumventing difficult and that do not interfere with the
274     normal use of the motor vehicle;
275          (iii) require a deep lung breath sample as a measure of breath alcohol concentration;
276          (iv) prevent the motor vehicle from being started if the driver's breath alcohol
277     concentration exceeds a specified level;
278          (v) work accurately and reliably in an unsupervised environment;
279          (vi) resist tampering and give evidence if tampering is attempted;
280          (vii) operate reliably over the range of motor vehicle environments; and
281          (viii) be manufactured by a party who will provide liability insurance.

282          (c) The commissioner may adopt in whole or in part, the guidelines, rules, studies, or
283     independent laboratory tests relied upon in certification of ignition interlock systems by other
284     states.
285          (d) A list of certified systems shall be published by the commissioner and the cost of
286     certification shall be borne by the manufacturers or dealers of ignition interlock systems
287     seeking to sell, offer for sale, or lease the systems.
288          (e) (i) In accordance with Section 63J-1-504, the commissioner may establish an
289     annual dollar assessment against the manufacturers of ignition interlock systems distributed in
290     the state for the costs incurred in certifying.
291          (ii) The assessment under Subsection (8)(e)(i) shall be apportioned among the
292     manufacturers on a fair and reasonable basis.
293          (f) The commissioner shall require a provider of an ignition interlock system certified
294     in accordance with this section to comply with the requirements of Title 53, Chapter 3, Part 10,
295     Ignition Interlock System Program Act.
296          (9) There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action of any nature shall
297     arise against, the state or its employees in connection with the installation, use, operation,
298     maintenance, or supervision of an interlock ignition system as required under this section.