The Racing Officials Accreditation Program’s board of directors voted Thursday to endorse the Penalty Guidelines for Multiple Medication Violations, which passed the Association of Racing Commissioners International (ARCI) Board and Model Rule Committee in July. The vote carried one abstention from the Horsemen's Benevolent & Protective Association representative on the ROAP board.

The Penalty Guidelines for Multiple Medication Violations, which is projected to be implemented in some states as early as January 1, 2014, initiates a point system for equine medication violations similar to that used by state motor vehicle agencies.

The rule calls for points to be assigned to every trainer’s fine and suspension history in the ARCI database by way of a separate ruling. That separate ruling would occur in the jurisdiction that issues an underlying equine medication positive test infraction that “triggers” a penalty phase plateau in the points system structure.

“We believe that it is important for ROAP to support the current efforts in the industry to unify medication regulations and specifically the new penalty system given that the stewards and judges will be responsible for implementing these regulations at the track level,” said ROAP Chairman Hugh Gallagher. “This is a rule designed to protect our racehorses first. It is a fundamentally sound rule that is ready for implementation today. What lies before us is the challenging work of having all jurisdictions in full participation, compliance and reciprocity as well a clear understanding of how this rule will be implemented by stewards and judges in North America and the Caribbean.”

ROAP accredits stewards, judges, and racing officials in all three disciplines of racing — flat (Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse), harness and steeplechase. Additionally, continuing education courses are required every two years to maintain accreditation. Staying consistent with its mission of education, ROAP will cover the Penalty Guidelines for Multiple Medication Violations in future continuing education seminars.

The board also discussed the success of the most recent Accreditation School held this past July at the Kenneth L. Maddy Laboratory at UC Davis and upcoming educational opportunities including the ROAP Certificate Program at Portland Meadows on September 21-22.

The ROAP board, ROAP’s Stewards’ Advisory Committee and its Education Committee, will continue to discuss current stewarding issues and educational programs and promote uniformity among racing officials.

ROAP, which receives primary funding from The Jockey Club and is based in its Kentucky office, is a 501(c)(6) organization whose board of directors is made up of representatives from 18 industry organizations and eight at-large representatives. Stewards and judges receive their accreditation and continuing education credits through this program.

The website address for ROAP is horseracingofficials.com.