Fla. House Passes Statewide Student Drug Testing Bill May 2, 2005
News Summary
All high-school athletes in the state of Florida would be tested for steroid use under a measure that unanimously passed the Florida House last week, the Associated Press reported April 29.HB-257, which calls for schools to adopt uniform steroid policies, passed 118-0. The measure requires that a pilot testing program -- initially involving a single sport -- be set up for the 2006-07 school year.
Currently, just one of 67 county school districts in Florida routinely tests students for steroids. The Florida High School Athletic Association already bans students who test positive for steroids from competing until their bodies are free from drugs.
Randomly testing even 5 percent of student athletes in Florida would cost at least $1.2 million; the tests cost about $105 each. A similar measure has been stalled in the state Senate.
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