State rep pushing for steroid tests, By: Brent Kallstad

The sponsor of a bill that would authorize a random one-year anabolic steroid testing program for Florida high school athletes is taking another shot at getting the measure passed.

The proposal (HB 461) is sponsored by Rep. Marcelo Llorente, a Miami Republican who has twice successfully pushed it through his own chamber.

?We should really do something to ensure that these young men and women know that there are very dangerous health consequences associated with steroids use,? Llorente said Wednesday.

The 29-year-old former college infielder believes the attention surrounding the investigations into steroid use in Major League Baseball will benefit his cause.

?It?s certainly raised the issue,? Llorente said. ?At the end of the day, young kids look at these professionals.?

Under the proposal, the Florida High School Activities Association ? the governing body of interscholastic sports in the state ? would oversee the testing. All of the association?s member schools, public and private, would be subject to the law.

The steroid tests would be randomly given to 1 percent of Florida high school athletes who compete in football, baseball and weightlifting, beginning in the 2007-08 school year.

Any athlete who refuses to provide a urine sample would be ineligible to remain on the team. Those who test positive would be suspended from the team, but could be reinstated by passing a follow-up test at a later date.

Llorente is trying to line up someone in the Senate to help push the measure through that body in the upcoming session that begins March 6.

?If we get a champion in the Senate to move it forward, I think this could be our year,? he said. ?Members in the House are familiar with the issue and supportive of it.?

Llorente also said he believes Gov. Charlie Crist would sign the measure.
?He?s a huge advocate to protect children and that?s right in line with that philosophy,? Llorente said.

Crist?s office said Wednesday the governor had yet to see the bill.

The Florida High School Activities Association did not immediately return a telephone message left at its Gainesville headquarters seeking comment on its position on the proposal.

New Jersey became the first state in the country to start a statewide steroid-testing policy for high school athletes last year. However, its initial testing for performance-enhancing drugs among 150 random samples taken last fall failed to produce a positive result, the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association reported earlier this month.