What's happening
This bill allows the use of drug-free adhesive breathing devices on horses during races, provided they meet specific safety standards.
Why it matters
Could impact horse welfare. By allowing drug-free adhesive breathing devices that meet FDA medical-grade standards, the bill may help horses breathe more easily during races, potentially reducing respiratory stress and improving overall animal welfare.
Promotes innovation and safety. The requirement for devices to use non-irritating, FDA-approved materials encourages the use of safer, medically vetted equipment rather than untested or potentially harmful alternatives.
Addresses regulatory clarity. By specifically permitting these devices (pending steward approval), the legislation removes ambiguity for trainers and owners about what equipment is allowed, potentially reducing disputes or penalties related to breathing aids.
Could influence race outcomes and fairness. Allowing such devices may affect horse performance, which could have downstream impacts on race results, betting, and perceptions of fairness within the sport.
Albany, before your first meeting.
Every bill that moved yesterday, summarized in a sentence and ranked by impact. The Albany Scorecard follows on Sundays.
Free. Unsubscribe in one click. Want alerts on specific bills? Create an account.
Who cares
Racehorse owners and trainers
The bill would prevent prohibitions on drug-free adhesive breathing devices that meet its material and nasal-airway requirements during race meetings.
Racing stewards
The bill would require their specific approval for equipment worn or carried by horses or jockeys in races, while barring prohibitions on qualifying breathing devices.
Equine breathing-device manufacturers
Their devices could not be prohibited if they use non-irritating adhesive and FDA-approved medical-grade components and assist in reducing resistance in a horse’s nasal airway.
Headline styles
Allow Drug-Free Horse Breathing Aids
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Referred to racing and wagering
- Referred to racing and wagering
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3382
2019-2020 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY
January 29, 2019
Introduced by M. of A. PRETLOW -- read once and referred to the Committee on Racing and Wagering
AN ACT to amend the racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law, in relation to permitting drug-free adhesive breathing devices
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The racing, pari-mutuel wagering and breeding law is amended by adding a new section 218-a to read as follows:
§ 218-a. Equipment regulated. Only equipment specifically approved by the stewards shall be worn or carried by a jockey or a horse in a race; provided, however, the use of any drug-free adhesive breathing device, consisting of a non-irritating adhesive and constructed of United States food and drug administration approved medical-grade components that assists in the reduction of airway resistance within the nasal cavity of a horse during any race meeting shall not be prohibited.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD04715-01-9
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.