By Shawn Henry 
A new Utah law set to take effect at the beginning of 2026 will give judges the authority to restrict alcohol purchases for people convicted of what the state defines as an extreme DUI, marking a significant change in how alcohol sales are regulated.
Under the law, individuals convicted of extreme DUI offenses will be classified as “interdicted,” meaning they are prohibited from purchasing alcohol. An extreme DUI is defined as having a blood alcohol concentration of 0.16 or higher, or having alcohol in the system combined with other illegal substances. The law also allows judges to place individuals convicted of any DUI into the interdicted category at their discretion.
The legislation, House Bill 437, also introduces a statewide requirement for 100% identification checks for all alcohol purchases, regardless of a customer’s age or appearance. Previously, alcohol retailers in Utah had discretion to forgo ID checks if a person appeared to be over 35 years old. That discretion will no longer be allowed once the law takes effect on Jan. 1.
Individuals who are deemed interdicted will be required to obtain a new state-issued ID that clearly indicates alcohol sales are prohibited. The length of time a person remains interdicted will be determined by the court. The law also includes a provision allowing individuals to voluntarily request an interdicted ID.
Employees at businesses that sell alcohol will be required not only to verify age but also to check IDs for the interdicted designation before completing a sale. Passports will remain a valid form of identification for alcohol purchases and will not include any interdicted markings.
The law has drawn attention from families affected by drunk driving. The family of Eli Mitchell, a 13-year-old boy killed by a drunk driver while riding his bike in 2022, has spoken publicly about the legislation. The driver responsible had a history of alcohol-related offenses, including multiple prior DUIs.
Eli’s grandfather has since worked with other DUI victims, advocating for stronger accountability and prevention measures. He has emphasized that impaired driving remains a growing problem in Utah, occurring at all hours of the day and often involving drivers with prior offenses. He has also stressed that impairment can begin well below the legal limit.
Supporters of the law say it addresses both repeat offenses and access to alcohol while reinforcing community responsibility. While lawmakers have taken steps to curb impaired driving, families affected by DUI-related tragedies continue to urge individuals to plan ahead, discourage impaired driving, and use alternatives such as ride-sharing services to prevent further loss of life.
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