I have been a lawyer for more than 50-years. Served in the Florida House of Representatives and the Florida Senate. I’ve been appointed to the Florida Commission on Ethics three times. But none of those titles hold a candle to being called Dad and Grandpa.
Like most of you, my children and grandchildren are my greatest treasures. As the world becomes more challenging, and at times even dark, I worry about the safety of my family.
Recent actions taken by Governor Ron DeSantis have allayed some of my fears. Just weeks after the tragic and deadly school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, Florida’s governor signed several bills into law making schools here safer for our kids.
One of the bills, HB 1421, requires mental-health “crisis intervention” and de-escalation training for on-campus law enforcement officers. The measure includes giving the State Board of Education rulemaking authority over emergency drills.
Other safety measures include practicing drills for “active assailant and hostage situations,” bomb threats, and natural disasters at least once a year. In addition to training for school police officers, 80-percent of employees at all schools will.be required to receive training in “youth mental health awareness and assistance.”
The governor has allotted more than $300-million dollars in school safety funding. The new laws go into effect July 1st.
“What I think we’ve done in Florida since I’ve been governor is make sure there’s adequate security at schools, make sure we follow the recommendations of the Parkland commission,” DeSantis said.
The Parkland Commission was set up in 2019 following the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida. Seventeen people were killed by a disturbed classmate on Valentine’s Day 2018. The commission has been recommending extensive mental health training since then and the governor heard their recommendations and warnings loud and clear.
We can no longer ensure our kids will have a carefree and worry-free childhood in America. But we can pass legislation that increases security protocols, so children can feel protected and safer when they go to school.
As a father and grandfather, I want to thank you, Governor DeSantis, for this gift. While it’s just in time for Father’s Day, it’s appreciated by all parents and grandparents with tiny treasures of their own.
As the founder of Seniors Across America, I will fight for laws that safeguard our seniors. And I stand with the governor in support of legislation that protects all residents of our great state.
Author Bio: John Grant, former State Representative, and State Senator, an estate planning attorney, and a member of the National Senior Citizen Hall of Fame, has spent much of his career working on behalf of seniors. John is continuing the advocacy work by heading a new venture called Seniors Across America to continue speaking up for our elderly population.
Website: Seniors Across America
You can reach John at: john@seniorsacrossamerica.net
Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
The South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service.
In no event shall the South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service. The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice.
The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components
