ORLANDO, Fla., Aug. 2 (UPI) -- Florida lawmakers have proposed a bill that would compensate the parents of drum major Robert Champion for their son's hazing death, officials said.
The legislation, known as a "claims bill," was filed Thursday in the Florida Senate and alleges Champion, 26, was forced to participate in a hazing ritual on a bus after a football game in Orlando and Florida A & M University allowed a "culture of hazing" to flourish on campus, the Orlando Sentinel reported.
The bill, which was among 25 other Senate bills seeking compensation from state agencies, was introduced by state Sen. Bill Montford, a Tallahassee Democrat. The dollar amount FAMU would have to pay to Champion's family was left blank.
FAMU has denied allegations it was responsible for Champion's death, saying Champion, who died on Nov. 19, 2011, voluntarily participated in the hazing. Fifteen former band members have pleaded not guilty to charges of manslaughter and felony hazing.
