Gov. DeSantis approves language allowing recurring funding for private Jewish school security

Gov. Ron DeSantis has signed a measure allowing lawmakers to make security funding for private Jewish day schools a recurring part of the state budget.

The legislation (HB 1109) will direct the Florida Department of Education to establish a regular funding model for guards, cameras, fencing, impact windows, perimeter lighting and related security costs at Jewish schools.

On its own, the bill establishes no monetary commitment.

Sarasota Republican Joe Gruters, the measure’s sponsor in the Senate, noted this past Session that there has been a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since the Oct. 7 attack on western Israel by Palestinian Hamas terrorists.