LUTZ, Fla. — A new school safety bill is set to go into effect July 1. HB 1473 was signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis recently and will require schools to lock all entry and exit points, as well as classrooms during lessons, unless guarded by staff.

Hillsborough County Sheriff Chad Chronister supports the measure. He spoke at Steinbrenner High School in Lutz on Thursday, where school resource officers (SROs) were undergoing active shooter drills.

“Scenario-based training is highly effective, and that’s what you’re seeing is occurring here today,” Chronister said.

The SRO’s receive 40 hours of active shooter training every year. Chronister said the department looks at real-life incidents like the deadly shootings in Uvalde and Parkland to develop some of its best practices.

“That was a big report and we looked through that. We learned a lot,” Chronister said of the Parkland school shooting. “When we looked at the camera surveillance system, we saw that it was almost an hour delay. So, they were chasing a ghost, he was already off campus.”

Chronister said his office will now have access to security cameras at all county schools. Additionally, this year’s training includes strategy for dealing with explosive devices and how to breach a locked door.

However, the sheriff said one of the most important components of safety is student participation.

“Children, if you see something, say something,” Chronister said. “Be that good partner. This safe environment that you have at school, it’s a partnership each and every day.”