R523. Health and Human Services, Substance Use and Mental Health.

R523-11. Utah Standards for Approval of Alcohol and Drug Educational Providers and Instructors for Court-Referred DUI Offenders.

R523-11-1. Purpose and Statutory Authority.

(1) Purpose. This rule prescribes standards for approval of Providers and certification of Instructors for providing alcohol and drug education to court-referred offenders convicted of a Driving Under the Influence (DUI) violation of Sections 41-6a-502, 41-6a-510, 41-6a-528, and 73-18-12.

(2) Statutory Authority. This rule is promulgated by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services through the Division of Integrated Healthcare (division) as authorized by Subsection 26B-5-104(6).

(3) Intent. The objective of the DUI Educational Program is to: (a) eliminate alcohol and other drug-related traffic offenses by helping the participant examine the behavior that led to the arrest, (b) assist the participant in implementing behavior changes to cope with problems associated with alcohol and other drug use, and (c) impress upon the participant the severity of the DUI offense.

R523-11-2. Definitions.

(1) "DUI Educational Program" herein referred to as "Program" is an instructional series offered by a licensed substance abuse treatment Provider agency which satisfies the standards established by the division.

(2) "Provider" is a licensed substance abuse treatment agency that has been approved to offer DUI Education.

(3) "DUI" is driving or being in actual physical control of a vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or any drug or the combined influence of alcohol and any drug to a degree, which renders the person incapable of safely driving a vehicle. In these standards, "DUI" shall refer to individuals convicted of violating Sections 41-6a-510, 41-6a-502, 41-6a-528, and 73-18-12.

(4) "Certificate" is a written authorization issued by the division to indicate that the Provider agency has been found to be in compliance with these Division standards and may offer DUI Education.

(5) "Screening" is a process using the SASSI (Substance Abuse Subtle Screening Inventory) or other division-approved screening tool in order to identify the need for education or additional assessment.

(6) "Instructor" is a person employed by a Provider who has been certified to instruct the state approved education course for a court-referred participant.

(7) "Participant" is a person attending DUI Education classes as a result of a DUI conviction or arrest. This person has received a screening which indicated education is appropriate.

(8) "Victim Impact Panel". A presentation designed to reflect the principles taught in the educational program that helps participants understand the potential impact on others of driving under the influence.

R523-11-3. Certification Requirements for DUI Educational Providers.

(1) In order to operate, a potential DUI Educational Provider shall make application to the division at least 60 days prior to the planned effective date. The division will provide the application form.

(2) Application for certification shall require the following:

(a) A brief description and purpose of the agency, and an explanation of the agency's relationship with other components of the local DUI system, i.e., Local Substance Abuse Authorities, local courts, police, Probation and Parole, Alcoholics or Narcotics Anonymous, etc.;

(b) The geographical area to be served;

(c) The ownership and person or group responsible for agency operation;

(d) The location and time that DUI classes would normally be held;

(e) A list of instructors employed by the agency; and

(f) A copy of the agency substance abuse treatment license.

(g) An outline describing how the agency will conduct the victim impact panel required by Section 26B-5-207;

(3) A DUI Educational Provider shall also:

(a) Ensure that each participant receive no less than 16 hours of face-to-face instruction using the division approved curriculum, in accordance with R523-9, with no more than 8 hours of instruction occurring in any calendar day;

(b) Allow no more than 25 persons, including participant and others to a class;

(c) Follow the recommendations of the screening which has been provided;

(d) Ensure that screenings are conducted by staff who have been trained in administering the screening tool;

(e) Report the number of participants completing the DUI Educational Program to the division at least every quarter;

(f) Have policies ensuring confidentiality of information maintained on each participant that conform to the requirements in 42 Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 1 Subchapter A Part 2;

(g) Ensure that Instructors follow the division-approved curriculum;

(h) Have available for review a copy of the Provider's charter, constitution, or bylaws;

(i) Outline the eligibility criteria for admission to the program, including the screening tool used;

(j) Ensure that all Instructors employed by the Provider are certified to teach;

(k) Inform the division of any licensing or address change;

(l) Comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations.

(m) Ensure that none of the Instructors are on probation or parole for any offense;

(n) Ensure that none of the Instructors has been convicted of a felony of any kind or any drug or alcohol misdemeanor offense in the previous 3 years;

(o) Notify the division in writing within 30 days if any Instructor has been arrested for any reason;

(p) Provide separate classes for participants who are younger than 18 years of age at the completion of the course; and

(4) Ensure that any victim impact panel be consistent with the educational program taught, and ensure that the total attendance is no more than 25 participants.

(5) A participant's participation in the DUI Educational Program shall not be a substitute for treatment as determined by a screening and assessment.

(6) The division shall issue the Provider a certificate after determination has been made that the agency is in compliance with these standards.

(7) The division director or designee has the authority to grant exceptions to any of the certification requirements.

R523-11-4. On-site Survey of Provider.

(1) After a review of the application, a site review may be scheduled by a designated representative of the division. With each application the applicant agrees, as a condition of Provider certification, to permit representative(s) of the division and/or others authorized by the division to enter and survey the physical facility, program operation, client records and to interview staff and class participants to determine compliance with applicable laws.

(2) The DUI Educational Provider also agrees to allow representatives from the division and others authorized by the division to attend the classes held. Such visits may be announced or unannounced.

(3) Review Procedures. Within 30 days after completion of an on-site survey, the division shall notify the applicant of action taken: approval, denial, or request for further information.

R523-11-5. Instructor Certification.

(1) By this rule the division hereby establishes certification requirements for Instructors, which consist of the following:

(a) All Instructors employed by any DUI Educational Provider shall be certified to teach prior to instructing the state approved DUI curriculum for any DUI Educational Provider.

(b) All Instructors shall attend and complete the requirements of the Instructor training authorized by the division.

(c) Requirements in R523-11-5(a) and (b) above shall be complete and verifiable.

(d) The Instructor agrees, as a condition of certification, to use only the division-approved curriculum when conducting a DUI Educational Program.

(e) The Instructor agrees to attend all required DUI training sessions sponsored or approved by the division.

(f) An Instructor shall not be certified to teach DUI Education if he or she is on probation or parole for any offense.

(g) An Instructor shall not be certified to teach DUI Education if he or she has been convicted of a felony of any kind or any drug or alcohol misdemeanor offense in the previous three years.

(h) An Instructor shall notify the division within 30 days of any arrest.

R523-11-6. Recertification of Instructors.

(1) An Instructor must recertify every twenty-four months by: attending and completing the requirements of any division-sponsored or approved DUI training sessions. The Instructor shall sign a register at those training sessions which have been set aside for DUI Instructor recertification.

(2) It is the responsibility of the Instructor to notify the division immediately of any address change.

(3) An Instructor shall not be certified to teach DUI Education if he or she is on probation or parole for any offense.

(4) An Instructor shall not be certified to teach DUI Education if he or she has been convicted of a felony of any kind or any drug or alcohol misdemeanor offense in the previous three years.

(5) If a current Instructor is arrested, he or she has 30 days to report the arrest to the division.

(6) The division director or designee has the authority to grant exceptions to any of the certification requirements.

R523-11-7. Corrective Action for a Provider or an Instructor.

(1) If the division becomes aware that a DUI education Provider or an Instructor is in violation of these standards, it shall proceed with the following steps:

(a) Within 30 days of becoming aware of the violation, the division shall notify the Provider or the Instructor in writing of the area(s) of noncompliance.

(b) Within 30 days of receiving notification of violation, the program or the Instructor shall submit a written plan to the division for achieving compliance.

(c) If the written plan is not accepted as satisfactory by the division within 30 days the Provider or the Instructor shall be notified that they have been suspended.

(d) A Provider or an Instructor must cease conducting any DUI Educational Provider until the suspension is lifted.

(e) If the division does not receive written evidence of compliance within 30 days of notification of suspension, the division shall revoke the Provider or Instructor's certification.

R523-11-8. Revocation of a Provider's or an Instructor's Certification.

(1) The division shall revoke the certification of a Provider or an Instructor for the following reasons:

(a) If the Provider or the Instructor fails to provide the division by certified mail with written evidence of compliance within 30 days of notification of suspension.

(b) If the Provider or the Instructor continues to provide any DUI Education during the period of suspension, or

(c) If any Provider or Instructor receives more than two notices of noncompliance with these standards in a one-year period.

(2) If any Provider or Instructor's certification is revoked, they may not reapply for recertification for a period of twelve months.

R523-11-9. Redress Procedures for Programs or Instructors.

(1) Any Provider or Instructor whose certification has been revoked may request in writing an informal hearing with the division Director or designee within ten days of receiving notice of revocation. Within ten days following the close of the hearing, the division shall inform the Provider or the Instructor in writing of the decision as required under Section 63G-4-302 and R497-100-1 through R497-100-10.

(2) If they so choose, the Provider or the Instructor may appeal in writing the decision of the division director or designee by requesting a reconsideration hearing with the Office of Administrative Hearings as provided for under Section 63G-4-302.

R523-11-10. Standards for Victim Impact Panels.

(1) Victim impact panels may be conducted in person or by use of filmed versions approved by the division.

(2) Providers shall ensure that victim impact panels are available in English, Spanish and other languages as needed.

(3) Providers shall limit attendance at victim impact panels to no more than 25 participants.

KEY: DUI programs, certification of instructors

Date of Last Change: June 2, 2025

Notice of Continuation: December 1, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 17-43-201; 26B-5-102; 26B-5-104; 26B-5-207 through 209; 41-6a-502; 41-6a-510; 41-6a-528; 63G-4-302; 73-18-12; 76-5-207; 42 CFR Chapter 1 Subchapter A Part 2