Steroid bill approved

By DAVID MURPHY
Published May 5, 2007

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The only thing that stands in the way of random steroid testing of high school athletes is a signature from Gov. Charlie Crist. A bill implementing a one-year pilot program that will test up to one percent of baseball players, football players and weightlifters was approved by the state legislature Friday, setting in motion a $100, 000 program spearheaded by Rep. Marcelo Llorente.

"If we deter one young person from using steroids, it's certainly worthwhile and effective, " Llorente said.

The Florida High School Athletic Association will oversee the steroid testing, but the program will be funded by a $100, 000 appropriation that already is in the state budget. The bill would go into effect July 1, and athletes would be tested throughout the 2007-08 school year.

David Murphy, Times staff writer