Protect Our Faith Communities: Support HB 95/SB 52 Now!

Like many houses of worship in Florida, you may have armed safety volunteers in place, but did you know that your volunteers may not be protected? Even your church could face liability under Florida law.

What are Florida HB 95/SB 52?

Florida's SB 52 and HB 95, introduced in the 2026 legislative session as companion bills, both aim to enhance security at religious sites by exempting qualified volunteers from state licensure requirements for providing armed security services, addressing concerns over rising threats to places of worship while maintaining public safety standards. Sponsored by Sen. Don Gaetz in the Senate (with co-introducer Sen. Osgood) and Rep. J.J. Grow in the House (with co-introducers Reps. Barnaby, Plasencia, and Salzman).

SB 52 Exemption as presented: "Any person who, on a voluntary basis and without compensation, provides armed security services on the premises of a church, mosque, synagogue, or other place of worship."

This isn't about expanding security—it's about removing barriers for those already committed to serving their faith communities.

Click to read each bill: House Bill 95 and Senate Bill 52.

Progress of HB 95/SB 52

Watch here for updates as these bills move through the Florida State Legislature.

2-10-26 | HB 95 advanced unanimously (17-0) in the House Judiciary Committee

2-5-26 | HB 95 advanced unanimously (16-0) in the House Industries & Professional Activities Subcommittee

2-3-26 | SB 52 advanced unanimously (23-0) in the Senate Rules Committee

1-28-26 | HB 95 advanced unanimously (17-0) in the House Criminal Justice committee

1-20-26 | SB 52 advanced unanimously (9-0) in the Senate Judiciary Committee

1-12-26 | SB 52 advanced unanimously (8-0) in the Senate Criminal Justice Committee

In an era of rising threats to houses of worship, Florida families deserve the right to safeguard their sacred spaces with trusted volunteers without unnecessary red tape. Florida HB95/SB52 empowers qualified, background-checked volunteers to provide armed security at churches, mosques, synagogues, and other places of worship.

The Rising Threat: Key Statistics

*Data from the Family Research Council

National Statistics*

25 Hostile Incidents Against Florida Churches (Tied for 3rd highest in U.S.) | Zenit News

353 Antisemitic Incidents in Florida (Down 24% from 2023, but up 31% Since 2022) | ADL News

82 Bomb Threats Against Jewish Institutions in Florida (nearly unchanged from 2023) | Sun Sentinel

438 Islamophobia Complaints Received by CAIR-Florida (up 22% from 2023) | NBC Miami

Florida Statistics (sources linked)

Contact Your Legislators

Find your state rep and senator to send a quick message urging support for SB 52.

What is at Stake?

Understand why the exemption is needed and what you can do to help.

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News & Updates...

1/14/26 | New York Senator Pushes for More Church Security After Crimes, Vandalism at Catholic Parishes | The NY State Senate

1/14/26 | Sheriff speaks on standoff at Pickens home (suspect attempted force entry into a church) | Pickens County Courier 🚨

1/13/26 | Bill Seeks to Aid Church Security | ABC 13 SB52

1/7/26 | Man arrested after disrupting church service | The Herald Citizen 🚨

1/1/26 | Bomb Threat Investigated at Temple Shalom in Port Charlotte, Florida | InformationAware 🚨

12/31/25 | Shots Fired into Mount Sinai Full Gospel Deliverance Center in Winston-Salem; Security Officer Injured | FOX 8 🚨

12/22/25 | Stabbing Suspect Disarmed by Parishioners at Pryor Church of Christ in Pryor, Oklahoma | InformationAware 🚨

12/23/25 | Religious Institutions Across US Enhance Security Measures Amid Rising Violent Incidents | The National Desk

11/10/25 | Florida man fired from job accused of threatening church attacks online: 'Gonna look like a genocide' | Fox News 🚨

10/15/25 | ‘High-risk targets’: New normal at churches, houses of worship after deadly attacks | Grand Rapids Herald-Review 🚨

10/10/25 | New normal at churches, houses of worship after deadly attacks | Reflector (APG) SB52

10/8/25 | Tampa-area congregations develop security teams after attacks at churches, synagogue | WUSF 🚨

10/2/25 | Florida bill would loosen rules for armed volunteers at places of worship | FOX 13 Tampa Bay SB52

9/30/25 | Florida lawmaker pushes bill to arm churches against violence | FOX10 Pensacola SB52

9/30/25 | Local church ramps up security after recent acts of violence across the nation | WJHG

9/19/25 | Florida bill would allow armed volunteers to protect churches, synagogues, mosques | Tallahassee Democrat SB52

9/19/25 | Florida bill proposes armed volunteers for church security | WESH SB52

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