(a) Every racing association and racing fair licensed pursuant to this article shall maintain, staff, and supply an on-track first aid facility, that may be either permanent or mobile, and which shall be staffed and equipped as directed by the board. A qualified and licensed physician shall be on duty at all times during live racing, except that this provision shall not apply to: (1) a quarter horse racing association if there is a hospital situated no more than 1.5 miles from the racetrack and the racetrack has an agreement with the hospital to provide emergency medical services to jockeys and riders, or (2) a harness racing association if there is a hospital situated no more than 2.5 miles from the racetrack and the harness racing association has an agreement with the hospital to provide emergency medical services to injured drivers. An ambulance licensed to operate on public highways provided by the track shall be available at all times during live racing and shall be staffed by two emergency medical technicians licensed in accordance with Division 2.5 (commencing with Section 1797) of the Health and Safety Code, one of whom may be an Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic, as defined in Section 1797.84 of the Health and Safety Code.
(b) Each racing association and racing fair shall adopt and maintain an emergency medical plan detailing the procedures that shall be used in the event of an on-track injury. The plan shall be posted in each jockey room in English and Spanish.
(c) Prior to every race meeting, the racing association or racing fair shall contact area hospitals to coordinate procedures for the rapid admittance and treatment of emergency injuries.
(d) Each racing association or racing fair shall designate a health and safety manager and assistant manager, who shall be responsible for compliance with the provisions of this section and one of whom shall be on duty at all times when live racing is conducted. The health and safety manager may, at the discretion of the racing association, be the person designated to perform risk management duties on behalf of the association.
(e) The stewards shall investigate and prepare a report with respect to all on-track accidents involving jockeys that occur during the performance of their duties. The report shall, at a minimum, identify the circumstances of the accident, the likely causes, and the extent of any injuries. The investigation shall be commenced no later than the next live racing day and shall be completed expeditiously. Upon completion of the report, it shall immediately be sent by facsimile or electronic mail to the entity certified to provide health and welfare for jockeys pursuant to Section 19612.9, to the jockey or his or her representative, the racing association, and the owner and trainer of the horse the jockey was riding at the time of the accident.
(f) The board shall adopt regulations to implement the provisions of this section no later than July 1, 2007.
(Amended by Stats. 2008, Ch. 19, Sec. 1. Effective June 2, 2008.)
Last modified: October 25, 2018