The purpose of this new rule is to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to protect the health and safety of students, instructional personnel, and visitors who participate in courses offered by a Florida College System institution. The ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
State Board of Education

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
6A-14.0572: Safety Issues in Courses Offered by Florida College System Institutions.
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this new rule is to ensure that policies and procedures are in place to protect the health and safety of students, instructional personnel, and visitors who participate in courses offered by a Florida College System institution. The effect will be that the Florida College System institutions establish, implement and report to the Chancellor of the Division of Florida Colleges health and safety policies and procedures.
SUMMARY: This new rule states that Florida College System institution boards of trustees are responsible for campus safety and emergency preparedness, to include safety and security measures for students, instructional personnel, and visitors. It also requires boards of trustees to adopt and annually review health and safety policies. The rule includes minimum standards for the policies and procedures and requires submission of policies and procedures to the Chancellor of the Division of Florida Colleges no later than December 31, 2013.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: 1) no requirement for SERC was triggered under Section 120.541(1), Florida Statutes, and; 2) because the rule requires only that the state colleges address health, safety, and security policies and procedures, and does not mandate specific measures.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1006.65(1) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1006.65 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: March 19, 2013, 8:00 a.m.
PLACE: Tallahassee, Florida (The physical location will be posted on the Department’s website no later than 14 days prior to the meeting at http://www.fldoe.org).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Julie Alexander, Division of Florida Colleges, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida, [phone], [e-mail].

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-14.0572 Safety Issues in Courses Offered by Florida College System Institutions Safety Policies and Procedures.

(1) Each Florida College System institution board of trustees shall be responsible for campus safety and emergency preparedness, to include safety and security measures for students, instructional personnel, and visitors.

(2) Pursuant to Section 1006.65(1), F.S., each board of trustees shall adopt and review annually policies and procedures addressing health and safety of students, instructional personnel, and visitors. At a minimum, the policies and procedures shall address the following:

(a) Posting of relevant health and safety information in classrooms, including those required or guided by industry standards.

(b) Early warning and emergency alert communication protocols.

(c) Threat assessment protocols and resources.

(d) Threat and emergency response protocols.

(e) Establishment of a campus safety and emergency preparedness advisory group.

(f) Implementation of federal, state and industry requirements, as appropriate.

(3) Each Florida College System institution shall submit health and safety policies and procedures to the Chancellor of the Division of Florida Colleges no later than December 31, 2013 and upon request of the Chancellor thereafter.

Rulemaking Authority 1006.65(1) F.S. Law Implemented 1006.65(1) F.S. History–New.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Randy Hanna, Chancellor, Division of Florida Colleges.
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Tony Bennett, Commissioner, Department of Education.
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: February 8, 2013
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 3, 2012