Governor Ron DeSantis signed House Bill 757 into law on May 15 during the 5th Annual Commissioner’s Summit focused on school safety and security in Miami. The new legislation expands existing safety measures to Florida’s colleges and universities, aiming to strengthen protections for students, faculty, and staff across the state.
The expansion of these safety requirements is intended to reinforce Florida’s commitment to safe learning environments at all levels of education. The bill builds upon previous efforts by extending campus security requirements and best practices that have been implemented in K-12 schools.
“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,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “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.”
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas said: “Thanks to Governor Ron DeSantis’ 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. By 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’s unwavering commitment to protect our schools.”
The Guardian Program was established in 2018 through the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act after a tragic incident at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It allows trained individuals who meet strict screening criteria—including psychological evaluations, drug screenings, and over 144 hours of training—to serve as armed guardians on campuses.
The Florida Department of Education oversees public education from early childhood through higher learning across Florida; it partners with parents, educators, communities; offers academic resources; supports professional training; manages programs for K-12 schools as well as higher education institutions; all from its headquarters in Tallahassee according to the official website.
Looking ahead, officials say continued investment in campus security will remain a priority as part of broader efforts aimed at supporting student achievement while maintaining comprehensive educational support systems.
