BILL WOULD COMPENSATE FAMILY OF DEAD FSU ATHLETE

By News Service of Florida

Sen. Arthenia Joyner, D-Tampa, filed a bill Tuesday that would lead to the state paying $1.8 million to the parents of Devaughn Darling, a Florida State University football player who collapsed and died during preseason training in 2001. The parents, Wendy Smith and Dennis Darling, Sr., reached a $2 million settlement with the university. But the state's sovereign immunity laws limited payment to $200,000 without approval from the Legislature to pay the full amount. Joyner's claim bill (SB 38), which will be considered during the 2015 legislative session, would direct payment of the remaining $1.8 million. Similar claim bills stemming from the Darling death have failed to pass the Legislature in recent years. Senators began filing claim bills last week for the 2015 session.