Bill > H0537

This bill creates a new section in Florida law defining and regulating "temporary door locking devices" for emergency situations. The bill defines these devices as temporary safety tools that can prevent a door from opening during emergencies, with specific requirements such as being removable without opening the door, not modifying door hardware, and not permanently altering the door. The bill allows these devices to be installed at any height and requires the Florida Building Commission to incorporate standards for such devices into the Florida Building Code. The devices can be used during emergency situations like shelter-in-place orders or safety drills, but must be approved by local enforcement agencies and can only be used for a finite period. Furthermore, buildings using these devices must integrate their use into safety plans and provide training to employees or staff on how to properly deploy and remove them. The legislation is designed to provide an additional layer of security for buildings during critical emergency scenarios while ensuring the devices do not compromise overall building safety or emergency exit capabilities. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2026/537