FloridaHB 7572026HouseWALLET

School Safety

Sponsored By: Michelle Salzman (Republican)

Signed by Governor

AppropriationJudiciary CommitteeEducation & Employment CommitteeBudget CommitteeHouse CalendarRules

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

10 provisions identified: 7 benefits, 1 costs, 2 mixed.

College guardians get one-time $500 stipends

Participating guardians receive a one-time $500 stipend through sheriff-run training for public college or university employees. Sheriffs are eligible for reimbursement of screening and training costs, including these stipends. The payment is not recurring.

Colleges coordinate student threat and safety records

Public colleges and universities must create teams to assess and respond to student behavior that may threaten campus safety. Teams must use the statewide threat management process and assessment tool, or an approved comparable tool. Specified safety records must follow students enrolling in a Florida College System institution or state university, with state-set threat-report transfer procedures. These records include serious or repeated behavior reports, threat reports, psychological evaluations, treatment plans, and progress notes. Colleges and service agencies may share confidential records when reasonably needed for services or safety for students with, or at risk of, emotional disturbance or mental illness; education leaders must provide legal sharing guidance.

Public colleges must prepare for emergencies

Florida public colleges and universities must adopt active assailant response plans identifying alert methods and staff authorized to send alerts. Each year, they must certify that all faculty, staff, and students completed active assailant preparedness training. They must coordinate family reunification plans with local law enforcement and government for disaster-related closures or unexpected evacuations. Reunification plans require annual review and updates as needed. Institutions without an existing safety reporting app as of July 1, 2026, must promote the suspicious-activity reporting tool online, install it on issued mobile devices, and bookmark its website on maintained computers.

More campus mental health and victim support

Florida public colleges and universities must train faculty to recognize student mental health concerns and connect students with services. These include campus, community, and crisis support services. Institutions must post mental health and suicide prevention information online and in visible places. Physical signs must measure at least 11 by 15 inches and use at least 32-point type. Institutions must also describe available support and provide timely response updates to students and employees facing violence, attempted violence, or credible threats.

Public college employees can become guardians

Florida public colleges and universities can join the Guardian Program, and sheriffs must help them run it. Employees and faculty who are not students can serve as guardians for school-approved activities. They must complete required training, receive sheriff certification, and be appointed by the proper official, including the institution’s president. Guardians do not have general arrest powers; their role is to prevent or stop active assailant incidents.

Weapon firing near schools brings felony penalties

Beginning October 1, 2026, firing a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school during school hours or a sanctioned school activity is a second-degree felony. Lawful defense and other lawful purposes are exceptions. The offense also excludes firing on private real property by its owner or someone the owner authorizes, licenses, or invites. People arrested for the weapon-discharge offense under section 790.115(2)(d) must remain in custody until a court considers bail.

Colleges assess risks and seek security grants

Florida public colleges and universities must assess security risks at every campus each year, working with public safety agencies. They must use the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool or an approved comparable tool. Institutions can apply for security improvement grants based on assessment findings. Grants depend on legislative funding; the law guarantees no award and sets no grant amount.

Teachers must learn school emergency procedures

School safety training for classroom teachers and other instructional staff must explain safety protocols and emergency procedures. Training must cover why these steps matter and how to carry them out properly.

College guardian programs face reporting deadlines

Public colleges and universities must report guardian and school security guard information to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Reports are due February 1 and September 1 each school year. They cover names, birth dates, certification and appointment or employment dates, and separation dates. Institutions that fail to report cannot run guardian programs or employ school security guards the next school year until they provide the missing information.

Guardian training access and cost limits

Sheriffs must arrange guardian training when a school board adopts a guardian program or contracts for school security guards. Where districts lack a program, public colleges, private schools, child care facilities, and charter boards can request training. Training totals 144 hours: 12 on incident response and de-escalation, plus 132 on firearms, with an 85% firearms test pass rate. Employing security agencies and private entities pay training costs without mixing them with state funds; child care facilities pay full participation costs. Private training charges cannot exceed actual costs; sheriffs cannot charge private schools, child care facilities, or security agencies for additional training.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Michelle Salzman
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Budget Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Judiciary Committee
Affiliation unavailable
Alex Rizo
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 197 • No: 55

House vote • 3/12/2026

House Floor Vote

Yes: 88 • No: 20

Senate vote • 3/11/2026

Senate Floor Vote

Yes: 26 • No: 10

House vote • 2/25/2026