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Heart Association Against House Phys Ed Bill

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – A bill moving to a state House committee for consideration would remove the physical education requirement for middle school students.

As expected, its been met with strong opposition by the American Heart Association.

"This bill is dangerous to our children and dangerous to the physical and financial health of all Floridians," said Janet Connors, Chair of the Florida State Advocacy Committee, American Heart Association.

The bill (HB 4057) was sponsored by Rep. Larry Metz who filed a similar bill last year.  Metz said the phys ed requirement amounts to an unfunded mandate on school systems without additional money.

"We should put greater trust in our school districts and not micromanage from Tallahassee," said Metz.

The bill is scheduled for a hearing Tuesday in the House K-20 Innovation Subcommittee.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.)

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