In an effort to modernize administrative procedures within Pennsylvania’s horse racing industry, I will be introducing legislation to clarify fingerprinting and criminal background check requirements for applicants seeking licensure through the State Horse Racing Commission.
 
All applicants to the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission for a license relating to the care or training of horses, racing, wagering, security or the management of licensed racing entities must submit their fingerprints to the Pennsylvania State Police for a state criminal history record check.  The State Police in turn, then submits these fingerprints to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of verifying the identity of the applicant and obtaining a current record of any criminal arrests and convictions.  These steps are vital to maintain the integrity of the sport of horse racing.
 
The FBI has requested changes to be made to the definitions used in the racing act to better clarify who needs to be fingerprinted.  In order to improve accountability of the racing industry, we should move quickly to ensure that applicants to the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission will continue to be fingerprinted and verified by FBI.
 
I will be introducing language that has been confirmed to meet the FBI’s requirements and supported by the administration.  I ask for your support and that the legislation shall be quickly passed to ensure that applicants to the Pennsylvania Horse Racing Commission continue to be fingerprinted and verified by the FBI.