Security Services on Religious Premises

Plain English Breakdown

The official text defines the scope of exempt services but does not list specific training requirements beyond holding a valid concealed weapon license and receiving reimbursement only for actual expenses incurred.

Security Services on Religious Premises

This law exempts volunteers who provide armed security at churches from certain state licensing rules if they meet specific conditions.

What This Bill Does

• Exempts voluntary armed guards at religious sites from standard private security laws under Chapter 493 of the Florida Statutes.
• Requires the guard to hold a valid license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued pursuant to s. 790.06, F.S.
• Limits this exemption to services provided exclusively on property owned or leased by the religious organization for worship, education, or religious activities.
• Allows volunteers to receive reimbursement for reasonable expenses related to training and equipment without losing their exempt status.

Who It Names or Affects

• Volunteers who provide armed security at churches in Florida
• Churches, ecclesiastical groups, or denominational organizations with an established physical place of worship where nonprofit religious services are regularly conducted

Terms To Know

Ecclesiastical organization

A church or religious group that has a physical place of worship in Florida.

Compensation

Payment for work; under this law, reimbursement for reasonable training and equipment costs does not count as compensation.

Limits and Unknowns

• The exemption only applies if the person receives no payment other than cost reimbursements.
• The security services must happen exclusively on property owned or leased by the religious organization for worship, education, or religious activities.
• This law takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Official Summary Text

Security Services on Religious Premises; Exempts certain persons providing voluntary armed security services at churches or ecclesiastical or denominational organizations from specified requirements; provides requirements such persons must meet to qualify for exemption.

Current Bill Text

HB 95 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb95-00
Page 1 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

A bill to be entitled 1
An act relating to the security services on religious 2
premises; amending s. 493.6102, F.S.; exempting 3
certain persons providing voluntary armed security 4
services at churches or ecclesiastical or 5
denominational organizations from specified 6
requirements; providing requirements such persons must 7
meet to qualify for the exemption; providing an 8
effective date. 9
10
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: 11
12
Section 1. Subsection (16) is added to section 493.6102, 13
Florida Statutes, to read: 14
493.6102 Inapplicability of this chapter.—This chapter 15
shall not apply to: 16
(16) Any person who on a voluntary basis provides armed 17
security services on the premises of a church or ecclesiastical 18
or denominational organization having an established physical 19
place of worship in this state at which nonprofit religious 20
services and activities are regularly conducted, if: 21
(a) The person providing the armed security services holds 22
a valid license to carry a concealed weapon or firearm issued 23
pursuant s. 790.06. 24
(b) The security services are provided exclusively on the 25

HB 95 2026

CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
hb95-00
Page 2 of 2
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S

premises of a church or ecclesiastical or denominational 26
organization, including any property owned or leased by the 27
church or ecclesiastical or denominational organization for 28
worship, education, or religious activities. 29
(c) The person providing the armed security services did 30
not receive any compensation for such services. For purposes of 31
this paragraph, the term "compensation" does not include 32
reimbursement for reasonable expenses actually incurred and 33
related to the cost of training or the cost of equipment 34
necessary for providing the security services. 35
Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026. 36