The Association of Racing Commissioners International (RCI) voted July 31 to approve model rules that create a points system and enhanced penalties for drug violations.

The RCI board of directors, which met in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., also voted to require a 10-year suspension and $100,000 fine for anyone found guilty of administering blood-doping agents. The RCI Model Rules Committee met July 30 to discuss the model rules and related amendments.

Under the point system, scheduled to be launched in 2014, violations of the medication rule for substances not on the RCI Schedule of Controlled Therapeutic Substances would earn 1 to 6 points, depending on its official classification as determined by the potential to affect performance. Overages involving 24 therapeutic medications included on the list would earn half as many points, depending on classification.

Depending on the number of points amassed by a repeat offender, the enhanced penalty would be in the form of additional suspension days of between 30 and 360, which would be added to the underlying penalty