DeSantis signs bill updating school guardian program requirements, regulations

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Legislation revising and updating Florida’s school guardian program was signed into law by Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday.

The guardian program allows for certain school faculty to be properly trained with firearms and other school safety measures for the protection of students if an active shooter incident were to occur.

The bill, HB 1473, clarifies that private and charter schools are responsible for funding their own guardian programs and that all public schools will need to comply with a new school safety compliance inspection report from the Office of Safe Schools.

The legislation also outlines new perimeter and door safety requirements that public and private schools will need to comply with by August 1.

It also requires each school district to develop a progressive discipline policy for instructional and administrative personal who knowingly violate school safety requirements.

The bill prohibits the flying of drones over public or private schools without school personnel permission, unless being used by law enforcement.

Additionally, superintendents are required to notify a postsecondary institution if a dual enrollment student of theirs has participated in any delinquent acts.

Finally, a grant program will be established to award private schools for excellent school safety standards and practices.

The legislation was sponsored by Reps. Dana Trabulsy, R-Fort Pierce, and Christine Hunschofsky, D-Parkland. Sen. Alexis Calatayud, R-Miami filed the companion bill.

It’s set to go into effect on July 1.