Drew Wilson
The House Appropriations Committee approved a bill that would give $1.8 million to the family of Devaughn Darling, who died in a Florida State University football practice in 2001.
Darling’s family has been seeking legislative approval for the money since 2005, when they won a judgment of $2 million in a wrongful death suit.
State law limits the amount that can be paid out in such suits to $200,000, leaving Darling’s family to seek the remaining balance through the Legislature.
The bill, sponsored by West Park Democrat Shevrin Jones, cleared the committee with a unanimous vote and has one stop left before the House floor.
The Senate companion bill has two stops left before it is ready for a vote from the full chamber.
