The bill seeks to enhance safety in Florida's public postsecondary educational institutions by allowing certain employees, faculty, and students to carry handguns or concealed weapons on campus. It introduces a new offense for discharging a weapon within 1,000 feet of a school, classifying it as a felony of the second degree, with exceptions for lawful defense. Additionally, individuals arrested for such offenses must be held in custody until they can appear before a court for bail consideration. The bill also mandates that institutions promote the use of a mobile suspicious activity reporting tool and adopt specific training and emergency response plans, including the appointment of certified school guardians.

Moreover, the legislation emphasizes mental health and safety by requiring institutions to train faculty to identify mental health issues, establish threat management teams, and conduct annual security risk assessments. It also mandates the posting of mental health awareness signs and the transfer of student records, including threat assessment reports, to educational institutions upon enrollment. The bill outlines the requirements for safe-school officers and school guardians, including necessary training and background checks, thereby aiming to improve overall safety and mental health support in educational environments across the state.

Statutes affected:
S 896 Filed: 30.15, 790.06, 790.115, 921.0022, 943.082, 1006.07