{"id":278753,"date":"2026-05-20T23:11:07","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:11:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/278753\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T23:11:07","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T23:11:07","slug":"desantis-signs-law-that-could-allow-faculty-to-have-guns-on-campus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/278753\/","title":{"rendered":"DeSantis signs law that could allow faculty to have guns on campus"},"content":{"rendered":"

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 757<\/a> into law Friday, expanding Florida\u2019s school safety measures to public colleges and universities.<\/p>\n

The law allows Florida\u2019s public postsecondary institutions to participate in the Guardian Program, which allows trained individuals to serve as armed guardians on school campuses, according to a Department of Education press release.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The bill also requires public colleges and universities to develop active assailant<\/a> response plans, threat management teams and family reunification procedures for emergencies, according to the press release.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019ve 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,\u201d DeSantis said. \u201cWe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

Spinnaker reached out to UNF for comment, and did not receive a response by the time of publication.<\/p>\n

Higher education safety requirements<\/p>\n

The bill was signed during the fifth annual Commissioner\u2019s Summit, which focused on school safety and security, according to the press release.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The legislation also creates a second-degree felony charge for discharging a weapon or firearm within 1,000 feet of a school.<\/p>\n

Florida Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said the law builds on the state\u2019s existing school safety framework.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks to Governor Ron DeSantis\u2019 leadership, Florida has set the national standard for school safety, and House Bill 757 builds on that strong foundation by extending critical protections to our state colleges and universities,\u201d Kamoutsas said. \u201cBy extending the Guardian Program to higher education institutions, we are equipping campuses with additional tools to help safeguard students and professors. Every student deserves the opportunity to learn in a safe and secure environment, and this legislation reinforces Florida\u2019s unwavering commitment to protect our schools.\u201d<\/p>\n

Background on the Guardian Program<\/p>\n

The Guardian Program was created in 2018 through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland. Guardians must complete screening and training through local sheriffs\u2019 offices, including psychological evaluations, drug screenings and at least 144 hours of training, according to the press release.<\/p>\n

Since taking office, DeSantis\u2019 administration has invested $1.6 billion through the Safe Schools Allocation, $955 million for student mental health services and $258 million for school hardening grants and facility security improvements, according to the press release. The state has also allocated funding for guardian training, threat management coordinators, technology services and security support for Jewish day schools.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

For more information or news tips, or if you see an error in this story or have any compliments or concerns, contact [email\u00a0protected]<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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