Alyssa’s Law
Learn about Alyssa’s Law, emergency management best practices, and how your school district can implement emergency panic button requirements.
What is Alyssa’s Law?
Alyssa’s Law is legislation that requires public elementary and secondary schools to have silent emergency panic alarms that communicate directly with local law enforcement. The goal of Alyssa’s Law is to address issues surrounding response times of law enforcements to schools during active emergencies.
What is Alyssa’s Law?
Alyssa’s Law is legislation that requires public elementary and secondary schools to have silent emergency panic alarms that communicate directly with local law enforcement. The goal of Alyssa’s Law is to address issues surrounding response times of law enforcements to schools during active emergencies.
Why is There Alyssa’s Law?
On February 14th, 2018, tragedy struck Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. A student opened fire on other students and staff, killing 17 and injuring another 17. Following the tragedy, survivors from the attack and family members of those killed began working on improving overall school security and emergency preparations, with one area of focus being emergency communication channels with law enforcement. Alyssa’s Law is named after one of the victims of the shooting, student Alyssa Alhadeff. Her mother and others worked with legislators and agencies to improve communication during active school emergencies, and these bills are commonly referred to as Alyssa’s Law.
New Jersey
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed A764, known as Alyssa’s Law, on 02/06/2019. The law requires New Jersey public schools to install silent panic alarms that link to law enforcement during an emergency. Learn more here.
Florida
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved SB70, known as Alyssa’s Law, on 06/30/2020. This law requires Florida public schools to implement mobile panic alert systems. Learn more here.
New York
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed Bill S7132A on 6/23/2022. This bill requires school boards to include information on their decision to include panic alarms in their district-wide safety plans. This bill is currently In Committee. Learn more here.
Nebraska
Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas introduced LB1156 on 01/22/2020 for the development and implementation of a statewide school panic button program. As of 08/13/2020, this bill has been indefinitely postponed. Learn more here.
Arizona
Arizona State Senators D. Hernandez, Chavez, Espinoza, A. Hernandez, Payne and Sierra introduced HB2803 on 02/08/2021. This bill would require each Arizona public school building be equipped with at least one panic alarm. Learn more here.
Texas
Texas Representative Shawn Thierry filed HB204 on 11/09/2020. This bill would require Texas public schools to have a panic alert device in every classroom. Learn more here.
Virginia
Virginia Delegate Tim Anderson introduced HB 1125 on 01/22/2022. This bill would require Virginia public school boards equip each primary and secondary education building with at least one panic alarm device. Learn more here.
Federal
New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer introduced H.R.4606, also known as ALYSSA Act, on 10/04/2019. This bill would require each public school have a silent alarm to alert local law enforcement authorities. Learn more here.
Where Has Alyssa’s Law Been Adopted?
Florida, New Jersey and New York are the only states that have passed legislation to implement Alyssa’s Law. Numerous states that have legislation in progress to pass Alyssa’s Law.
Where Has Alyssa’s Law Been Adopted?
Florida, New Jersey and New York are the only states that have passed legislation to implement Alyssa’s Law. Numerous states that have legislation in progress to pass Alyssa’s Law.
New Jersey
New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy signed A764, known as Alyssa’s Law, on 02/06/2019. The law requires New Jersey public schools to install silent panic alarms that link to law enforcement during an emergency. Learn more here.
Florida
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis approved SB70, known as Alyssa’s Law, on 06/30/2020. This law requires Florida public schools to implement mobile panic alert systems. Learn more here.
New York
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed Bill S7132A on 6/23/2022. This bill requires school boards to include information on their decision to include panic alarms in their district-wide safety plans. This bill is currently In Committee. Learn more here.
Nebraska
Nebraska State Senator Tony Vargas introduced LB1156 on 01/22/2020 for the development and implementation of a statewide school panic button program. As of 08/13/2020, this bill has been indefinitely postponed. Learn more here.
Arizona
Arizona State Senators D. Hernandez, Chavez, Espinoza, A. Hernandez, Payne and Sierra introduced HB2803 on 02/08/2021. This bill would require each Arizona public school building be equipped with at least one panic alarm. Learn more here.
Texas
Texas Representative Shawn Thierry filed HB204 on 11/09/2020. This bill would require Texas public schools to have a panic alert device in every classroom. Learn more here.
Virginia
Virginia Delegate Tim Anderson introduced HB 1125 on 01/22/2022. This bill would require Virginia public school boards equip each primary and secondary education building with at least one panic alarm device. Learn more here.
Federal
New Jersey Representative Josh Gottheimer introduced H.R.4606, also known as ALYSSA Act, on 10/04/2019. This bill would require each public school have a silent alarm to alert local law enforcement authorities. Learn more here.
Alyssa’s Law Requirements
Alyssa’s Law requires school buildings to have a silent emergency panic alarm. Depending on the state, the specifics of the requirement may differ slightly. The panic alarm system implemented must be able to communicate directly with local law enforcement for real-time coordination during emergencies.
