FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 19, 2007


Statement from FHSAA Commissioner John A. Stewart on random steroid testing legislation becoming law

“Today’s signing into law of House Bill 461 by Governor Crist is the culmination of more than three years of diligent work by Representative Marcelo Llorente to address the use of anabolic steroids by student-athletes – an issue about which he is deeply concerned. The FHSAA staff shares those concerns and worked closely with Rep. Llorente and his staff to draft the language that ultimately became House Bill 461.

“The bill calls for one percent of the student-athletes in grades 9 through 12 who participate in the sports of baseball, football and weightlifting to be randomly tested. The $100,000 appropriated for the random testing program, however, may not be sufficient to fund the program to its fullest extent. The bill includes provisions for a scaled-down program in this case, and FHSAA staff members will be meeting with Rep. Llorente and his staff to discuss his intentions so we may proceed.

“The FHSAA, however, is committed to absorbing 100 percent of the administrative costs associated with the conduct of the program. That will ensure that all of the $100,000 appropriated will be devoted entirely to the actual testing.”