The bill CS/CS/CS/HB 1403 amends Florida statutes to enhance student safety by expanding the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program to include child care facilities. It mandates that sheriffs establish a guardian program under specific conditions and sets training and screening standards for security guards. The costs associated with the program are capped at amounts determined by the Department of Education, with annual adjustments based on the Consumer Price Index. While child care facilities and security agencies are responsible for all costs related to the program, sheriffs have the discretion to waive costs for child care facilities, excluding initial training for school security guards.

Additionally, the bill introduces new reporting requirements for sheriffs, who must report quarterly to the Department of Law Enforcement on upcoming training for school guardians and security guards. Failure to report required information will result in school districts, charter schools, private schools, child care facilities, and security agencies being prohibited from operating guardian programs or employing security guards for the following school year. The legislation also emphasizes the need for ongoing training and compliance for school security personnel, mandates that all access points to school campuses remain closed and locked during school hours, and allows child care facilities to partner with law enforcement to establish safe-school officers. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
H 1403 Filed: 30.15
H 1403 c1: 30.15
H 1403 c2: 30.15
H 1403 c3: 30.15