Maine § 279-E. - Trainers; duty to submit a horse for testing for use of prohibited substances

§ 279-E.. Trainers; duty to submit a horse for testing for use of prohibited substances

Upon request of the commission, a person who signs an application for and receives a trainer's license in accordance with this chapter and rules adopted under section 279‑A shall submit a horse trained by that licensee, qualified to race and identified by the commission for the purpose of obtaining a biological sample to test for the use of prohibited substances.   [PL 2017, c. 231, §21 (AMD).]

1.  Obtaining a sample.  Pursuant to this section, the commission may require a licensed trainer to:

A. Transport the horse to a designated site where a veterinarian employed by the commission or the department may obtain a biological sample; or   [PL 2017, c. 231, §21 (AMD).]

B. Allow a veterinarian employed by the commission or the department, or a veterinarian designated by the commission and accompanied by designated department personnel, access to the premises where the horse is kept for the purpose of obtaining a biological sample.   [PL 2017, c. 231, §21 (AMD).]

2.  Rulemaking.  The commission shall adopt rules establishing a procedure for obtaining biological samples and ensuring a secure chain of custody for transporting the sample to a laboratory for testing. The rules must consider travel distances and costs associated with obtaining a sample when designating a testing site and may assess a fee to defray travel costs for the veterinarian and designated department personnel. Rules adopted pursuant to this subsection are routine technical rules as defined in Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter 2‑A.

3.  Refusal.  Refusal to comply with the commission's directives for obtaining a sample under this section is a basis for suspension of a trainer's license.