Accessibility menu
State Representative Joe Atkins
100 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
651-296-4192
For more information contact: Ben Schweigert 651-296-5809
Press/News Releases
REPRESENTATIVE ATKINS’S BILL TO TOUGHEN STEROID LAWS TO BE HEARD TUESDAY Jose Canseco Invited to Testify
A measure sponsored by Representative Joe Atkins (DFL-Inver Grove Heights) to toughen Minnesota’s steroid laws will be heard by the Public Safety Committee of the House of Representatives on Tuesday, at 10:15, in the Basement Hearing Room of the State Office Building.
“The fact that this bill is receiving a hearing so quickly is a sign of its strong support," Representative Atkins said. “We all agree that we need to do something to protect our kids and send them the right message about staying away from steroids.”
The proposed legislation would toughen penalties for those selling steroids, especially to minors. It also updates Minnesota state law, which currently bans only 10% of illegal steroids on the market. The bill brings Minnesota statutes into conformance with Federal legislation, which will also allow for better enforcement of laws banning steroids.
Last week, Representative Atkins invited former baseball player Jose Canseco to testify before the committee. Canseco’s recent book has raised the profile of the steroid issue by highlighting the widespread use of performance-enhancing drugs in Major League Baseball. Representative Atkins is working with Canseco’s scheduler to arrange his attendance.
“He has a point of view that is far different from mine,” Representative Atkins said. “but he is certainly knowledgeable on the issue, and I believe that the committee would benefit from his testimony.”
[30]
News Items
- Rep. Atkins, Sen. Lourey Introduce Health Insurance Exchange Legislation - (Posted: Jan 9 2013 3:44PM)
- Rep. Atkins – Statement on Deal to End NHL Lockout - (Posted: Jan 7 2013 2:05PM)
- Rep. Atkins to Hold Minnesota House Hearing on Economic Impact of Hockey Lockout - (Posted: Jan 2 2013 3:20PM)
- Archived News Items
- Subscribe to RSS News Feeds
- Read more about RSS.