Florida schools could soon need ballistic shields and other safety equipment on campus.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV) – Florida House Bill 671, filed by Representative Omar Blanco, aims to strengthen school safety and would require public, private, and charter schools to meet new safety standards.
Under the bill, schools would need to keep one ballistic shield and a breaching tool — such as a Halligan bar or sledgehammer — on campus.
Schools would also need at least one employee or the school’s safe-school officer to receive annual training on how to use the safety equipment. Local law enforcement would conduct the training.
According to the bill, schools can use existing grants from the School Hardening Grant Program or other state or private funding to cover the cost of the equipment.
Schools would have to report to the Office of Safe Schools each year confirming that the equipment is on campus, works properly, and remains accessible. The Office of Safe Schools can also conduct random audits.
Last year, Florida lawmakers introduced a major overhaul of school safety, with new laws taking effect this school year.
Some of those changes required exterior doors to stay locked, expanded the guardian program to include childcare centers, and mandated that sheriffs approve school security guards.
Lawmakers have repeatedly said school safety will remain a priority every legislative session. If approved, Florida House Bill 671 would take effect July 1, 2026.
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