The Republican-led House voted 65-47 to approve the bill Wednesday. It passed the Senate last week.
The measure is aimed at implementing recommendations by a state commission created in the wake of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., last year that left 17 people dead. It builds on a law passed last year that included new gun restrictions, including raising the minimum age to buy a firearm, and a guardian program that permitted the arming of certain school personnel, but not teachers.
The bill doesn’t require school districts to arm teachers, but instead authorizes local school boards to decide whether to permit the expansion of the guardian program. Any district employees who volunteer to participate would need to undergo training and background checks.
At least eight states, including Kansas and Texas, already allow some teachers or school employees to have guns or other weapons, according to the group Education Commission of the States, which tracks legislation.
Opponents argued the bill could imperil students by adding more firearms on campuses and leading to dangerous mishaps. Hundreds of students traveled to the state Capitol last month to urge lawmakers to eliminate the proposal. Groups including the state teachers union and the League of Women Voters of Florida opposed it.