Mitch Perry
Gov.Rick Scott has signed HB 201, a bill sponsored by Tampa Democratic Rep. Ed Narain that extends education to law enforcement officers and improve response to those having a diabetic emergency.
Also known as the Arthur Green Jr. Act, the law is named after the late Arthur Green Jr., a longtime Tampa resident and community activist. He was stopped by Tampa Police on the afternoon of April 16, 2014, while driving erratically on North Central Avenue in Seminole Heights. Green had swerved into oncoming traffic and sideswiped a couple of cars before a witness called 911.
After a TPD officer asked Green to step out of his car, Green refused, saying he had done nothing wrong. That led the officer to try to pull Green out of his car. A lawsuit contends officers then dragged Green from the vehicle and placed him face-down on the pavement. The officers tried to arrest him. Eight minutes into the incident, Green lost consciousness and ultimately died.
He was having a diabetic seizure.
The Green family has filed a lawsuit against the TPD.
The bill aims to help officers appropriately identify a diabetic emergency, avoid misidentification, and prevent future tragedies for those Floridians who are among the nearly 26 million Americans with the disease.
“On behalf of the Young Green family, we feel a tremendous honor knowing that this legislation bearing the name of Arthur Green Jr. will be a lasting reminder of a wonderful man whose tragic demise will not be in vain,” said Lena Young Green, widow of Arthur Green Jr., after the bill passed the House in April.
