Utah House passes substitute DUI bill tightening penalties, requiring treatment, ignition interlocks

Representative Nora Stevens, sponsor of the first substitute to House Bill 209, told the Utah House that the bill responds to "a public outcry regarding repeat offenders who continue to drive under the influence of alcohol." The chamber passed the measure as amended, 69–1, and referred it to the Senate.

The bill requires courts to order screening and assessment for people convicted of driving under the influence and gives judges the option to require either an educational series or substance-abuse treatment depending on the assessment. For a second conviction within six years the bill increases community-service requirements (from 88 hours to 240) and imposes longer probation and monitoring. For a third or subsequent conviction within six years, the bill requires not less than a 10-day prison sentence in the base text and—after an adopted amendment proposed by Representative Harper—raises…