(1) The department, through the Office of Safe Schools pursuant s. 1001.212, shall contract with a security consulting firm that specializes in the development of risk assessment software solutions and has experience in conducting security assessments of public facilities to develop, update, and implement a risk assessment tool, which shall be known as the Florida Safe Schools Assessment Tool (FSSAT). The FSSAT must be the primary physical site security assessment tool as revised and required by the Office of Safe Schools which is used by school officials at each school district and public school site in the state in conducting security assessments.

(2) The FSSAT must help school officials identify threats, vulnerabilities, and appropriate safety controls for the schools that they supervise, pursuant to the security risk assessment requirements of s. 1006.07(6).

(a) At a minimum, the FSSAT must address all of the following components:

1. School emergency and crisis preparedness planning;

2. Security, crime, and violence prevention policies and procedures;

3. Physical security measures;

4. Professional development training needs;

5. An examination of support service roles in school safety, security, and emergency planning;

6. School security and school police staffing, operational practices, and related services;

7. School and community collaboration on school safety; and

8. A return on investment analysis of the recommended physical security controls.

(b) The department shall require by contract that the security consulting firm:

1. Generate written automated reports on assessment findings for review by the department and school and district officials;

2. Provide training to the department and school officials in the use of the FSSAT and other areas of importance identified by the department;

3. Advise in the development and implementation of templates, formats, guidance, and other resources necessary to facilitate the implementation of this section at state, district, school, and local levels; and

4. Review recommendations of the School Hardening and Harm Mitigation Workgroup established under s. 1001.212(11) to address physical security measures identified by the FSSAT.

(3) The Office of Safe Schools shall make the FSSAT available no later than May 1 of each year. The office must provide annual training to each district’s school safety specialist and other appropriate school district personnel on the assessment of physical site security and completing the FSSAT.

(4) By December 1 of each year, the department shall report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the status of implementation across school districts and schools. The report must include a summary of the positive school safety measures in place at the time of the assessment and any recommendations for policy changes or funding needed to facilitate continued school safety planning, improvement, and response at the state, district, or school levels.

(5) In accordance with ss. 119.071(3)(a) and 281.301, data and information related to security risk assessments administered pursuant to this section and s. 1006.07(6) and the security information contained in the annual report required pursuant to subsection (4) are confidential and exempt from public records requirements.

History.—s. 28, ch. 2018-3; s. 13, ch. 2019-22.