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By NICK WILLIAMS and JEROME STOCKFISCH
The Tampa Tribune
TALLAHASSEE - Governor Charlie Crist signed and approved House Bill 461 today, the bill that would implement the Florida High School Athletic Association’s steroid-testing policy. Now, the FHSAA will put into effect a one-year random steroid-testing program for football, baseball and weightlifting.
According to the bill’s supplement, a sum of $100,000 will be appropriated to fund the program.
Crist signed the bill at the state Capitol flanked by players, coaches and athletic directors from the Tallahassee area’s Chiles, Leon and Rickards high schools.
The governor was joined by state Rep. Marcelo Llorente, R-Miami, who has been working to get such legislation passed for four years.
“The use of steroids has had a significant focus in major league sports, and now, also in intercollegiate sports and high school athletics,” Crist said. “The Florida Legislature has done a great service by leading the nation in having testing at the high school level. It’s a responsibility to teach our children about the serious health risks that could be involved as well as the legal penalties associated with the use of steroids.”
The bill will help “prevent serious health problems and drug abuse later on,” Crist said.
Art Witters, head coach at Chiles High, called the bill “awesome.”
“I’ve been coaching in Florida for almost 38 years,” Witters said. “We’ve led the nation in so many areas, in dealing with kids, and the importance of making sure what they watch on TV doesn’t happen in high school.”
Up to one percent of high school athletes will be tested.
Hillsborough County Athletic Director Lanness Robinson is concerned about funding for the testing.
“I think it’s a good thing, I just hope the funding is there and that is stays there,” he said. “If they don’t pay for it, somebody has to. Is each district going to have to pay for it? Are they going to raise dues? My biggest concern is they don’t have funding.”
Robinson said the test could cost as much as $100.00 per athlete, and with over 700 participating schools, funds could run low.
“It’ll be interesting to see how this plays out,” Robinson said.
Crist also signed House Bill 463, which would make student records relating to steroid-testing confidential.
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