--- kind: "section" citation: "15 U.S.C. § 3056" title: "15" title_heading: "Commerce and Trade" number: "3056" heading: "Racetrack safety program" release: "119-102" date: "2026-07-12" url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/15/3056" units: - "Chapter 57A — Horseracing Integrity and Safety" --- # §3056. Racetrack safety program - (a) **Establishment and considerations—** - (1) **In general—** Not later than the [program effective date](/usc/15/3051.md?p=14), and after notice and an opportunity for public comment in accordance with [section 3053 of this title](/usc/15/3053.md), the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) shall establish a [racetrack safety program](/usc/15/3051.md?p=16) applicable to all [covered horses](/usc/15/3051.md?p=4), [covered persons](/usc/15/3051.md?p=6), and [covered horseraces](/usc/15/3051.md?p=5) in accordance with the registration of [covered persons](/usc/15/3051.md?p=6) under [section 3054(d) of this title](/usc/15/3054.md?p=d). - (2) **Considerations in development of safety program—** In the development of the horseracing safety program for [covered horses](/usc/15/3051.md?p=4), [covered persons](/usc/15/3051.md?p=6), and [covered horseraces](/usc/15/3051.md?p=5), the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) and the [Commission](/usc/15/3051.md?p=3) shall take into consideration existing safety standards including the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance Code of Standards, the International Federation of Horseracing [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1)’s International [Agreement](/usc/15/7a.md?p=2) on Breeding, Racing, and Wagering, and the British Horseracing [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1)’s Equine Health and Welfare program. - (b) **Elements of horseracing safety program—** The horseracing safety program shall include the following: - (1) A set of training and racing safety standards and protocols taking into account regional differences and the character of differing racing facilities. - (2) A uniform set of training and racing safety standards and protocols consistent with the humane treatment of [covered horses](/usc/15/3051.md?p=4), which may include lists of permitted and prohibited practices or methods (such as crop use). - (3) A racing surface quality maintenance system that— - (A) takes into account regional differences and the character of differing racing facilities; and - (B) may include requirements for track surface design and consistency and established standard operating procedures related to track surface, monitoring, and maintenance (such as standardized seasonal assessment, daily tracking, and measurement). - (4) A uniform set of track safety standards and protocols, that may include rules governing oversight and movement of [covered horses](/usc/15/3051.md?p=4) and human and equine injury reporting and prevention. - (5) Programs for injury and fatality data analysis, that may include pre- and post-training and race inspections, use of a [veterinarian](/usc/15/3051.md?p=21)’s list, and concussion protocols. - (6) The undertaking of investigations at [racetrack](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) and non-[racetrack](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) facilities related to safety violations. - (7) Procedures for investigating, charging, and adjudicating violations and for the enforcement of civil sanctions for violations. - (8) A schedule of civil sanctions for violations. - (9) Disciplinary hearings, which may include binding arbitration, civil sanctions, and research. - (10) Management of violation results. - (11) Programs relating to safety and performance research and education. - (12) An evaluation and accreditation program that ensures that [racetracks](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) in the United States meet the standards described in the elements of the Horseracing Safety Program. - (c) **Activities—** The following activities shall be carried out under the [racetrack safety program](/usc/15/3051.md?p=16): - (1) **Standards for racetrack safety—** The development, by the [racetrack](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) safety standing committee of the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) in [section 3052(c)(2) of this title](/usc/15/3052.md?p=c-2) of uniform standards for [racetrack](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) and horseracing safety. - (2) **Standards for safety and performance accreditation—** - (A) **In general—** Not later than 120 days before the [program effective date](/usc/15/3051.md?p=14), the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1), in consultation with the [racetrack](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) safety standing committee, shall issue, by rule in accordance with [section 3053 of this title](/usc/15/3053.md)— - (i) safety and performance standards of accreditation for [racetracks](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15); and - (ii) the process by which a [racetrack](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) may achieve and maintain accreditation by the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1). - (B) **Modifications—** - (i) **In general—** The [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) may modify rules establishing the standards issued under [subparagraph (A)](#c-2-A), as the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) considers appropriate. - (ii) **Notice and comment—** The [Commission](/usc/15/3051.md?p=3) shall publish in the Federal Register any proposed rule of the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1), and provide an opportunity for public comment with respect to, any modification under [clause (i)](#c-2-B-i) in accordance with [section 3053 of this title](/usc/15/3053.md). - (C) **Extension of provisional or interim accreditation—** The [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) may, by rule in accordance with [section 3053 of this title](/usc/15/3053.md), extend provisional or interim accreditation to a [racetrack](/usc/15/3051.md?p=15) accredited by the National Thoroughbred Racing Association Safety and Integrity Alliance on a date before the [program effective date](/usc/15/3051.md?p=14). - (3) **Nationwide safety and performance database—** - (A) **In general—** Not later than one year after the [program effective date](/usc/15/3051.md?p=14), and after notice and an opportunity for public comment in accordance with [section 3053 of this title](/usc/15/3053.md), the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1), in consultation with the [Commission](/usc/15/3051.md?p=3), shall develop and maintain a nationwide database of racehorse safety, performance, health, and injury information for the purpose of conducting an epidemiological study. - (B) **Collection of information—** In accordance with the registration of [covered persons](/usc/15/3051.md?p=6) under [section 3054(d) of this title](/usc/15/3054.md?p=d), the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) may require [covered persons](/usc/15/3051.md?p=6) to collect and submit to the database described in [subparagraph (A)](#c-3-A) such information as the [Authority](/usc/15/3051.md?p=1) may require to further the goal of increased racehorse welfare. ## Source credit (Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title XII, § 1207, Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3267.)