Florida schools — including charters and district-run schools – are required to meet safety initiatives as outlined in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Safety Act. Updates were made to that law during the 2022 legislative session. (HB 1421) that impact charter schools as of July 1, 2022/2022-2023 school year. See notes listed below.
- Requires all safe school officers to complete crisis intervention and training to improve knowledge and skills for response and de-escalate incidents on school premises;
- Requires law enforcement officers to be present and involved in active assailant emergency drills;
- Requires the adoption of a family reunification plan in the event of an evacuation; and
- Requires that school districts must annually certify that at least 80 percent of school personnel have received mandatory youth mental health awareness training.
For more information about the new safe school requirements, click below to watch our conversation with William Tagle, National Director of Safety and Security for Academica; and Orlando Muñoz, founder of Eagle Globe Protective Services – Florida’s premier armed guard company specializing in school security and protection.
To view the 2023 Florida Budget, click here.