House passes Dougherty bill to modernize fingerprinting and background check requirements for horse racing
Rep. Sean M Dougherty September 29, 2026 | 4:36 PM
HARRISBURG, Sept. 29 – The Pennsylvania House today passed legislation (HB 2625) introduced by state Rep. Sean Dougherty, D-Phila., that would modernize fingerprinting and background check requirements for applicants seeking licensure through Pennsylvania’s Horse Racing Commission to meet FBI requirements.
The FBI has requested changes to be made to the definitions used in the racing act to better clarify who needs to be fingerprinted.
“Horse racing is a significant, multi-million-dollar industry here in Pennsylvania,” Dougherty said. “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 the FBI.”
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 then submits these fingerprints to the FBI 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.
This bill now heads to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration.