U.S Code last checked for updates: May 04, 2024
§ 3055.
Horseracing anti-doping and medication control program
(a)
Program required
(1)
In general
(2)
Consideration of other breeds
(b)
Considerations in development of program
In developing the horseracing anti-doping and medication control program, the Authority shall take into consideration the following:
(1)
Covered horses should compete only when they are free from the influence of medications, other foreign substances, and methods that affect their performance.
(2)
Covered horses that are injured or unsound should not train or participate in covered races, and the use of medications, other foreign substances, and treatment methods that mask or deaden pain in order to allow injured or unsound horses to train or race should be prohibited.
(3)
Rules, standards, procedures, and protocols regulating medication and treatment methods for covered horses and covered races should be uniform and uniformly administered nationally.
(4)
To the extent consistent with this chapter, consideration should be given to international anti-doping and medication control standards of the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities and the Principles of Veterinary Medical Ethics of the American Veterinary Medical Association.
(5)
The administration of medications and treatment methods to covered horses should be based upon an examination and diagnosis that identifies an issue requiring treatment for which the medication or method represents an appropriate component of treatment.
(6)
The amount of therapeutic medication that a covered horse receives should be the minimum necessary to address the diagnosed health concerns identified during the examination and diagnostic process.
(7)
The welfare of covered horses, the integrity of the sport, and the confidence of the betting public require full disclosure to regulatory authorities regarding the administration of medications and treatments to covered horses.
(c)
Activities
The following activities shall be carried out under the horseracing anti-doping and medication control program:
(1)
Standards for anti-doping and medication control
Not later than 120 days before the program effective date, the Authority shall issue, by rule—
(A)
uniform standards for—
(i)
the administration of medication to covered horses by covered persons; and
(ii)
laboratory testing accreditation and protocols; and
(B)
a list of permitted and prohibited medications, substances, and methods, including allowable limits of permitted medications, substances, and methods.
(2)
Review process for administration of medication
(3)
Agreement requirements
(4)
Anti-doping and medication control enforcement agency
(A)
Control rules, protocols, etc
(B)
Results management
(C)
Testing
(D)
Testing laboratories
(5)
Anti-doping and medication control standing committee
(d)
Prohibition
(e)
Advisory committee study and report
(1)
In general
(2)
Report
(3)
Modification of prohibition
(A)
In general
(B)
Condition
In order for a unanimous vote described in subparagraph (A) to effect a modification of the prohibition in subsection (d), the vote must include unanimous adoption of each of the following findings:
(i)
That the modification is warranted.
(ii)
That the modification is in the best interests of horse racing.
(iii)
That furosemide has no performance enhancing effect on individual horses.
(iv)
That public confidence in the integrity and safety of racing would not be adversely affected by the modification.
(f)
Exemption
(1)
In general
(2)
Exceptions
An exemption under paragraph (1) may not be requested for—
(A)
two-year-old covered horses; or
(B)
covered horses competing in stakes races.
(3)
Contents of request
(4)
Grant of exemption
(g)
Baseline anti-doping and medication control rules
(1)
In general
Subject to paragraph (3), the baseline anti-doping and medication control rules described in paragraph (2) shall—
(A)
constitute the initial rules of the horseracing anti-doping and medication control program; and
(B)
except as exempted pursuant to subsections (e) and (f), remain in effect at all times after the program effective date.
(2)
Baseline anti-doping medication control rules described
(A)
In general
The baseline anti-doping and medication control rules described in this paragraph are the following:
(i)
The lists of permitted and prohibited substances (including drugs, medications, and naturally occurring substances and synthetically occurring substances) in effect for the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities, including the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities International Screening Limits for urine, dated May 2019, and the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities International Screening Limits for plasma, dated May 2019.
(ii)
The World Anti-Doping Agency International Standard for Laboratories (version 10.0), dated November 12, 2019.
(iii)
The Association of Racing Commissioners International out-of-competition testing standards, Model Rules of Racing (version 9.2).
(iv)
The Association of Racing Commissioners International penalty and multiple medication violation rules, Model Rules of Racing (version 6.2).
(B)
Conflict of rules
(3)
Modifications to baseline rules
(A)
Development by anti-doping and medication control standing committee
(B)
Authority approval
(C)
Anti-doping and medication control enforcement agency veto authority
(Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title XII, § 1206, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3263.)
cite as: 15 USC 3055