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Senate approves measure to let ER blood tests prompt DUI probes after heated debate
Summary
The Utah Senate on Feb. 3 amended and passed SB 86 to allow emergency medical blood draws to be used to notify law enforcement and give limited immunity to physicians who report elevated blood-alcohol results; senators debated passenger coverage, medical privacy and evidentiary limits before passage.
SALT LAKE CITY — The Utah State Senate on Feb. 3 passed legislation (SB 86) that allows emergency-room medical blood draws taken for treatment to be used to notify law-enforcement officials when results show elevated blood alcohol levels, and grants limited immunity to physicians who report such findings.
Senator James Hilliard, sponsor of the bill, told senators the measure adds two tools for addressing impaired driving and creates protections for physicians who notify authorities after a medical draw. “It gives immunity to emergency room physicians,” Hilliard said on the floor, describing the change as permissive and intended to aid prosecution when a forensic draw later confirms impairment.
The bill’s floor debate was lengthy and at times contentious. Senator Maine…
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