Legislature Passes Bill to Lower Threshold for Intoxication

The Utah Legislature approved a bill that would lower the blood alcohol level that triggers a presumption that intoxication was the major contributing cause of a workplace injury. The Senate on Friday voted 27-0 to pass House Bill 11. The state House of Representatives voted 74-0 to pass the bill on Jan. 27. HB 11, by Rep. James Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, would reduce the threshold for intoxication to a blood or breath alcohol concentration of .05%, from .08%. Utah employers can reduce or terminate disability benefits if a worker is fired for specified reasons that include alcohol ...