FloridaFlorida public colleges must plan for campus safety
Florida public colleges may appoint certified guardians and must prepare for emergencies, review campus security yearly, and support people affected by violence.
What it does
Public colleges and universities must plan for emergencies, prepare for family reunification, train faculty to respond to mental health concerns, and review campus security each year. They must also set policies to support people affected by violence or credible threats.
Firing a weapon near a school during school hours or a sanctioned activity is a second-degree felony, with exceptions for lawful purposes and certain private property.
Public colleges may join the school guardian program and appoint certified employees or faculty members who are not students to serve as guardians at school-sanctioned activities.
When a student with certain threat assessment or psychological records enrolls at a Florida public college or university, those records must be sent to the institution.
Argument forEmergency plans, mental health training, and yearly campus safety reviews could help colleges prepare for crises and connect students with support.
Argument againstSomeone who fires a weapon near a school during school hours or an approved activity could face a felony and remain in custody until a court considers bail.
More detail
Public colleges and universities must adopt emergency plans, provide safety and mental health training, assess campus security each year, and set policies to support people affected by violence or credible threats. These duties apply to Florida public colleges and universities and cover their campuses, students, faculty, and staff. Colleges may apply for campus security improvement grants only if funds are appropriated. The act took effect May 15, 2026. Campus security improvement grants depend on an appropriation.
A person who discharges a weapon or firearm within 1,000 feet of a school during school hours or a sanctioned school activity commits a second-degree felony. The 1,000-foot rule applies during school hours or while a sanctioned school activity is taking place. The felony does not apply when the discharge is for lawful self-defense, defense of another person, or another lawful purpose. It also does not apply when the owner of private property within 1,000 feet of a school, or a person authorized, licensed, or invited by the owner, discharges a weapon or firearm on that property. This provision takes effect October 1, 2026. A person arrested for a violation of the specified discharge law must remain in custody until brought before a court for a bail decision.
Public colleges may join the school guardian program and appoint certified school guardians. This applies to Florida public colleges and universities and their eligible employees and faculty members. A guardian must be an employee or faculty member who is not a student, complete the required steps, and receive sheriff certification. Guardians may support school-sanctioned activities. They have no law enforcement authority except as needed to prevent or stop an active assailant incident. The act took effect May 15, 2026.
When a student with certain threat assessment or psychological records enrolls at a Florida public college or university, the records must be transferred to that institution. This applies when a student's education records contain the specified documents and the student enrolls in a Florida College System institution or state university. Covered records include applicable threat assessment reports and related documents, along with psychological evaluations, treatment plans, and progress notes described in the student-record provisions. The act took effect May 15, 2026. State education and university boards must set procedures for transferring threat assessment reports.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 18Chapter No. 2026-80Latest
- May 15Approved by Governor Ron DeSantisBecame Law
- May 11Signed by Officers and presented to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 12Ordered engrossed, then enrolledMinor
- Vote recorded Passage. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 12CS passed as amended; YEAS 88, NAYS 20Major
- Mar 12Amendment 263022 Concur
- Mar 12Added to Senate Message List
- Mar 11In Messages
- Vote recorded Third Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 11CS passed as amended; YEAS 26 NAYS 10Passed Senate
- Mar 11Read 3rd timeMinor
- Mar 11Amendment(s) adopted (263022)
- Mar 11Read 2nd timeMinor
- Mar 11Substituted for CS/CS/SB 896
- Mar 11Placed on Calendar, on 2nd reading
- Mar 11Withdrawn from RulesMajor
- Feb 26ReceivedMinor
- Feb 26Referred to RulesMinor
- Feb 26In Messages
- Feb 25CS passed as amended; YEAS 83, NAYS 25Passed House
- Vote recorded Passage, Third Reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 25Read 3rd timeMinor
- Feb 25Added to Third Reading Calendar
- Feb 25Amendment 020155 Failed
- Feb 25Amendment 347527 Failed
- Feb 25Amendment 330695 Failed
- Feb 25Amendment 872267 Failed
- Feb 25Amendment 714819 adopted
- Feb 25Amendment 429727 adopted
- Feb 25Amendment 055721 adopted
- Feb 25Read 2nd timeMinor
- Feb 19Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/25/2026)
- Feb 12Added to Second Reading Calendar
- Feb 12Bill referred to House Calendar
- Feb 111st Reading (Committee Substitute 2)Minor
- Feb 11CS FiledMinor
- Feb 11Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Feb 11Reported out of Budget Committee
- Feb 10Favorable with CS by Budget CommitteeMinor
- Vote recorded Favorable With Amendment(s) (Budget Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 6PCS added to Budget Committee agenda
- Feb 3Now in Budget Committee
- Vote recorded Favorable (Education & Employment Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Feb 3Reported out of Education & Employment Committee
- Feb 3Favorable by Education & Employment CommitteeMinor
- Jan 30Added to Education & Employment Committee agenda
- Jan 28Now in Education & Employment Committee
- Jan 28Referred to Budget CommitteeMinor
- Jan 28Referred to Education & Employment CommitteeMinor
- Jan 271st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)Minor
- Vote recorded Favorable (Judiciary Committee). Result: pass.Lower
- Jan 27CS FiledMinor
- Jan 27Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)Minor
- Jan 27Reported out of Judiciary Committee
- Jan 27Favorable with CS by Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Jan 23PCS added to Judiciary Committee agenda
- Jan 131st Reading (Original Filed Version)Minor
- Jan 5Now in Judiciary Committee
- Jan 5Referred to Budget CommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Education & Employment CommitteeMinor
- Jan 5Referred to Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- 2025
- Dec 12FiledIntroduced
EducationPublic SafetyMental Health