Title: Grants for Nonprofit Organization Safety

Summary: Requires DEM to establish specified grant program; provides eligibility requirements; requires grants be used for certain purposes; provides for minimum and maximum grant awards; authorizes DEM to use funds for administration.

Full Text:
An act relating to grants for nonprofit organization safety; creating s. 252.3712, F.S.; requiring the Division of Emergency Management to establish a specified grant program; providing eligibility requirements; requiring grants be used for certain purposes; providing the minimum and maximum grant awards; authorizing the division to use a certain amount of funding for administration; requiring rulemaking; providin gfor the expiration of the program by a specified date; providing an effective date. Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1. Section 252.3712, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 252.3712 Nonprofit Security Grant Program.-(1) The division shall establish a Nonprofit Security Grant Program which shall consist of funds appropriated by the Legislature to nonprofit organizations, including houses of worship and community centers, that are at high risk for violent attacks or hate crimes. The grants may be used to increase security and safety, including, but not limited to: (a) The purchase and installation of security CS/HB 1615 2023 infrastructure, perimeter lighting, door hardening, security camera systems, perimeter fencing, ba rriers and bollards, blast resistant film, and shatter resistant glass for windows. (b) Hiring security personnel. (c) Training for security personnel and staff on threat awareness, emergency procedures, and first aid. (2) The minimum amount of any grant award is $10,000, and the maximum grant award amount is $150,000. The total amount of funds available for the program is limited to the amount appropriated by the Legislature. (3) The division may use up to percent of the total amount appropriate dto administer the grant program. (4) The division shall adopt rules to administer this section. (5) This section expires January 1, 2028, unless reviewed and saved from repeal through reenactment by the Legislature. Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2023.