House Bill Would Unlock School Fields, Playgrounds
TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) – Schools in South Florida, and across the state, keep their ball fields and playgrounds locked up when school is not in session. But a bill working its way through the state House could change that.
HB 431 would allow schools and school districts to enter into agreements with local governments or organizations to allow public access to facilities like ball fields and playgrounds received unanimously approval by the House K-20 Competitiveness Subcommittee on Wednesday.
Under terms of the bill schools would be held harmless for liability except in cases of gross negligence if they choose to open their exterior facilities to the public during non-school hours.
"Study after study shows how prevalent the obesity epidemic is," said bill sponsor Rep. Peter Nehr, R-Tarpon Springs.
Nehr said making it easier for after-school recreation programs would help address that problem.
The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.
