Florida is taking its strict school security rules straight to higher education. Speaking at the 5th Annual Commissioner’s Summit today in Miami, Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 757 into law, officially stretching the state’s existing campus safety framework to include public colleges and universities.
The centerpiece of the new legislation is the expansion of the Chris Hixon, Coach Aaron Feis, and Coach Scott Beigel Guardian Program. Originally established in 2018 under the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act, the program permits trained, armed individuals to patrol campuses to deter and respond to active shooters.
To qualify, these guardians have to clear background checks, psychological evaluations, drug tests, and complete at least 144 hours of training run by local sheriffs’ offices.
Beyond adding guardians to higher education, HB 757 bumps up the legal stakes for gun violence near campuses, making it a second-degree felony to fire a weapon within 1,000 feet of any school.
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It also mandates that public colleges and universities set up official active assailant response plans, establish threat management teams to catch risks early, and map out family reunification protocols for emergencies.
State officials framed the move as a necessary evolution of Florida’s defense strategy.
“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,” Governor DeSantis said. He added that while academic standards and workforce programs matter, the state must keep its focus on the safety of students and educators.
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas echoed that stance, noting that the bill gives higher education institutions more tools to protect everyone on campus.
“By extending the Guardian Program to higher education institutions, we are equipping campuses with additional tools to help safeguard students and professors,” Kamoutsas said. “Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and secure environment, and this legislation reinforces Florida’s unwavering commitment to protect our schools.”
The bill’s signing builds on a massive wave of state spending directed toward campus security since DeSantis took office. Financial breakdowns show the state has funneled $1.6 billion into the Safe Schools Allocation for officers and guardians, alongside $955 million for mental health allocations to expand student services and early interventions.
Other heavy investments include $258 million for physical school hardening grants, $103 million for technological safety upgrades, and $83 million dedicated to protecting Jewish Day Schools from antisemitic threats.
The state has also put $39 million toward mental health training for teachers, $34 million specifically to fund the Guardian Program’s expansion, and $21 million to support canine units and threat management coordinators.
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