TALLAHASSEE, Fla. _ The death of a Florida State University student who drank a bottle of Wild Turkey bourbon while trying to join a fraternity is spurring an expansion to the state's anti-hazing law.
The Florida Legislature sent a bill to the governor Tuesday that targets people who plan and recruit others to perform hazing rituals.
The bill makes it a third-degree felony if the hazing results in a permanent injury even if the person does not directly commit the act of hazing.
Andrew Coffey, a 20-year-old FSU student, was trying to become a member of Pi Kappa Phi.
A wrongful death lawsuit accuses fraternity members of coercing Coffey to drink an entire bottle of 101-proof liquor. He was found dead Nov. 3, 2017.
The lawsuit detailed hazing rituals that included taping liquor bottles to the hands of pledges and pouring alcohol directly in their mouths.
Coffey lived in Lighthouse Point and graduated from Pompano Beach High School in 2015. He was captain of the school's swim team.
The bill also offers immunity from prosecution to people who provide medical assistance or call 911 for help.
