The bill amends various sections of Florida Statutes to strengthen school safety protocols, particularly through the establishment of school guardian programs and the certification of school security guards. It requires sheriffs to create a school guardian program when a school board contracts for security guards, with the security agency responsible for training and screening costs. The bill mandates that sheriffs issue school security guard certificates and maintain documentation of training and qualifications, while also removing outdated reporting requirements to the Department of Law Enforcement. New provisions are introduced for the Office of Safe Schools to collaborate with the Florida Association of School Safety Specialists to develop training and certification structures for school safety specialists.

Additionally, the bill establishes a statewide behavioral threat management operational process to help school districts identify and manage potential threats, including the formation of threat management teams and the use of a Florida-specific behavioral threat assessment instrument. It introduces a threat management portal for electronic reporting and documentation, with access regulated by State Board of Education rules. The bill emphasizes the need for locked doors during school hours and outlines safety requirements for school access points. It also mandates collaboration between district school boards and law enforcement to assign safe-school officers to every school facility, including charter schools, and allows private schools to contract with security agencies under specific criteria. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
S 1470 Filed: 30.15, 1006.07, 1006.121