House Bill 757 aims to enhance safety and mental health support in Florida's public postsecondary educational institutions by amending existing laws related to firearms possession and introducing new safety protocols. The bill authorizes public postsecondary institutions to participate in the school guardian program, allowing certain employees, faculty, and students to carry handguns or concealed weapons on campus. It establishes a new offense for discharging a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school, with specific exceptions, and mandates that individuals arrested for certain offenses be held in custody until they can be brought before a court for bail consideration. Additionally, the bill requires the transfer of educational records for certain students to Florida College System institutions or state universities and promotes the use of a mobile suspicious activity reporting tool.

The legislation also outlines the responsibilities of sheriffs in training school guardians and security guards, requiring standardized training and certification processes. It mandates public postsecondary institutions to adopt emergency response plans, appoint certified school guardians, and establish family reunification plans in collaboration with local law enforcement. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes mental health support by requiring faculty training to identify and respond to mental health issues, the establishment of threat management teams, and annual security risk assessments. Overall, HB 757 seeks to create a safer educational environment while addressing mental health concerns among students and ensuring compliance with safety regulations.

Statutes affected:
H 757 Filed: 30.15, 790.06, 790.115, 921.0022, 943.082, 1006.07