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Senate passes measure increasing DUI penalties when passenger is a minor
Summary
Senate recorded passage of SB3, which elevates penalties for DUI convictions when a passenger under 16 is present and extends enhanced penalties for serious bodily injury in such cases; supporters cited backing from substance-abuse and prosecutors' groups.
The Utah Senate on Jan. 26 passed Senate Bill 3, a change to the state's DUI penalty scheme that increases penalties when a passenger younger than 16 is aboard.
Senator (Win) Richards, speaking for the measure, said the bill elevates certain first- and second-offense DUI convictions from class D misdemeanors to class A misdemeanors when a passenger under 16 is present and also extends enhanced penalties in cases involving serious bodily injury to include incidents where a minor is a passenger. "So an individual is convicted for the first time or the second time on drinking under the influence...if there's a passenger under 16 years of age aboard, then that makes it a class A misdemeanor," he said.
Supporters noted the measure has backing from the Substance Abuse Coordinating Council and statewide prosecutors. Following a call of the question and roll-call procedure, the clerk reported SB3 passed with 27 ayes and no nays (two senators recorded as absent). The bill was ordered sent to the House for further action.
What’s next: SB3 will be transmitted to the House for consideration.
Sources: Floor remarks by Senator Richards and roll-call result on Jan. 26.
