Massive win for student safety: Armed guardians now coming to Florida colleges as DeSantis signs important campus safety law
Florida – Florida’s school safety push is moving beyond K-12 campuses and deeper into higher education, after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 757 on Friday during the 5th Annual Commissioner’s Summit on school safety and security in Miami.
The new law expands several of the state’s existing safety measures to public colleges and universities, placing campus security, emergency planning and threat prevention under a broader statewide framework.
The measure builds on Florida’s school safety system that grew after the 2018 tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
That response included the creation of the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program, which allows specially trained individuals to serve as armed guardians on campuses.
Under HB 757, participation in that program will now be available to Florida’s public postsecondary institutions.
“We’ve made historic strides to implement school safety measures that are working to protect our schools. Today, I was proud to build on these efforts by signing HB 757, which enhances campus security requirements and best practices at our colleges and universities throughout Florida,” DeSantis said.
“We can have the highest academic standards, the strongest workforce programs, and the most innovative pathways for students, but must also continue our focus on the safety of our students and educators.”
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The law also raises penalties around school zones by creating a second-degree felony charge for discharging a weapon or firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.
In addition, public colleges and universities will be required to prepare active assailant response plans, establish threat management teams and create family reunification procedures for emergencies.
Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas said the bill extends protections that Florida has already developed for schools into higher education.
“By extending the Guardian Program to higher education institutions, we are equipping campuses with additional tools to help safeguard students and professors,” he said.
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The Guardian Program requires participants to complete extensive screening and training through local sheriff’s offices, including psychological evaluations, drug screenings and at least 144 hours of training.
State officials said the new law continues a wider investment strategy that has included funding for school safety officers, mental health services, school hardening grants, safety technology, threat management coordinators and the Guardian Program itself.
