Starting as soon as next school year for 2023-2024, Broward County Public Schools will require clear backpacks and bags as an “additional layer of safety,” according to a May 5 message that went out on social media and via email alert. This new policy includes purses, lunchboxes and duffel bags and is in effect for all grades pre-K to 12.

The only exceptions are small pouches for personal hygiene items, such as pads and tampons, thermal food containers inside clear lunchboxes and school-approved bags for sports and band.

Clear backpacks were implemented at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School following the shooting on Feb. 14, 2018. At the time, many MSD students were upset by this decision by the county and protested with backpacks full of tampons, a fish tank backpack and a backpack filled with Christmas lights.