Safety of Religious Institutions Bills Moving thru Florida House and Senate

Two important legislative bills are making their way concurrently through the Florida House and Senate which directly relate to churches, synagogues and schools. They are HB 403 and SB 1238.

The Senate Bill SB 1238 authorizes a church, synagogue, or other religious institution to allow a concealed firearms licensee to carry a firearm on the property of that church, synagogue, or other religious institution for certain purposes; also authorizing a private school or a religious school to designate a person to carry a firearm on that schools property.

The House Bill HB 403 does not extend it to schools. Hopefully the House will amend their Bill to include schools. Such protection by statute would help many of my nonprofit clients who operate a church run school.

These bills are in committee now and I will be monitoring their progress for you. Note: most likely the final Bill will require the church and/or school to create policies and procedures the Designee must follow.