This bill increases the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's hit-and-run laws currently make leaving the scene of an accident a flat class B misdemeanor when property damage occurs and a class A misdemeanor when someone is injured, regardless of the driver's history. This bill would create escalating penalties based on a driver's past record: a property-damage hit-and-run would become a class A misdemeanor if the driver has a prior hit-and-run or DUI-related conviction within the past 10 years, and a third-degree felony with two or more such prior convictions; an injury-related hit-and-run would rise from a class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony or, in cases involving serious injury, death, or repeat DUI convictions, a second-degree felony. The bill also sets mandatory minimum sentences for these more serious charges — including jail time, fines, mandatory impound and towing fee repayment, and potential substance abuse screening or treatment — while allowing courts to substitute a 24-7 sobriety program or home confinement in some cases. Additionally, it creates an affirmative defense allowing a driver to avoid an enhanced charge by presenting a negative alcohol or drug test taken shortly after the accident, and it repeals a separate death-related hit-and-run statute, folding those provisions into the injury-accident law.
Introduction
Jan 29
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
IntroductionJan 29
House Rules
House Committee
House Floor Vote
Senate Rules
Senate Committee
Senate 2nd Reading
Senate 3rd Reading
Governor
This bill increases the penalty for leaving the scene of an accident.
This bill:
AI-generated summary, not yet reviewed by Better Utah staff. Please consult the bill text.
Utah's hit-and-run laws currently make leaving the scene of an accident a flat class B misdemeanor when property damage occurs and a class A misdemeanor when someone is injured, regardless of the driver's history. This bill would create escalating penalties based on a driver's past record: a property-damage hit-and-run would become a class A misdemeanor if the driver has a prior hit-and-run or DUI-related conviction within the past 10 years, and a third-degree felony with two or more such prior convictions; an injury-related hit-and-run would rise from a class A misdemeanor to a third-degree felony or, in cases involving serious injury, death, or repeat DUI convictions, a second-degree felony. The bill also sets mandatory minimum sentences for these more serious charges — including jail time, fines, mandatory impound and towing fee repayment, and potential substance abuse screening or treatment — while allowing courts to substitute a 24-7 sobriety program or home confinement in some cases. Additionally, it creates an affirmative defense allowing a driver to avoid an enhanced charge by presenting a negative alcohol or drug test taken shortly after the accident, and it repeals a separate death-related hit-and-run statute, folding those provisions into the injury-accident law.
House/ filed
House file for bills not passed
House/ strike enacting clause
Clerk of the House
House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal Analyst
House Rules Committee
LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0421
Released
LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0421
Version Sponsor
Last updated Aug 29, 2026, 5:26 PM