Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 757 into law Friday, expanding Florida’s school safety measures to public colleges and universities.

The law allows Florida’s public postsecondary institutions to participate in the Guardian Program, which allows trained individuals to serve as armed guardians on school campuses, according to a Department of Education press release. 

The bill also requires public colleges and universities to develop active assailant response plans, threat management teams and family reunification procedures for emergencies, according to the press release.

“We’ve made historic strides to implement school safety measures that are working to protect our schools. Today, I was proud to build on these efforts by signing HB 757, which enhances campus security requirements and best practices at our colleges and universities throughout Florida,” DeSantis said. “We can have the highest academic standards, the strongest workforce programs, and the most innovative pathways for students, but must also continue our focus on the safety of our students and educators.”

Spinnaker reached out to UNF for comment, and did not receive a response by the time of publication.

Higher education safety requirements

The bill was signed during the fifth annual Commissioner’s Summit, which focused on school safety and security, according to the press release. 

The legislation also creates a second-degree felony charge for discharging a weapon or firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.

Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said the law builds on the state’s existing school safety framework.

“Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ leadership, Florida has set the national standard for school safety, and House Bill 757 builds on that strong foundation by extending critical protections to our state colleges and universities,” Kamoutsas said. “By extending the Guardian Program to higher education institutions, we are equipping campuses with additional tools to help safeguard students and professors. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and secure environment, and this legislation reinforces Florida’s unwavering commitment to protect our schools.”

Background on the Guardian Program

The Guardian Program was created in 2018 through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Guardians must complete screening and training through local sheriffs’ offices, including psychological evaluations, drug screenings and at least 144 hours of training, according to the press release.

Since taking office, DeSantis’ administration has invested $1.6 billion through the Safe Schools Allocation, $955 million for student mental health services and $258 million for school hardening grants and facility security improvements, according to the press release. The state has also allocated funding for guardian training, threat management coordinators, technology services and security support for Jewish day schools.

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