With more states adopting variations of Alyssa’s Law across the country, it’s critical for schools to understand what’s available to them when implementing advanced security technologies and improving campus safety.
What Is Alyssa's Law?
Alyssa’s Law is critical legislation designed to improve and accelerate law enforcement’s response time during emergencies at public elementary and secondary schools. The law mandates the installation of silent panic alarms, which can automatically notify law enforcement of life-threatening situations, such as active shooters or intruders.
Alyssa's Law was created and named in honor Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Alyssa was one of the 17 victims of the tragic mass shooting on February 14, 2018.
Alyssa’s Law is being implemented on a state-by-state basis, leading to variations in specific requirements across different states. While the exact wording varies from state to state, the foundation of Alyssa’s Law mandates that public elementary and secondary school buildings be equipped with a silent panic alarm system connected to local law enforcement. To date, seven states have passed their own version of Alyssa’s Law. Below is a breakdown of the legislation in each state and how Alyssa’s Law is being implemented.
- New Jersey: Passed A764 on February 6, 2019. Read more about Alyssa’s Law in New Jersey here.
- Florida: Passed CS/CS/SB 70 on July 1, 2020. Learn more about Alyssa’s Law in Florida here.
- New York: Passed Senate Bill S7132A on June 23, 2022. Learn more about Alyssa’s Law in New York here.
- Texas: Passed Alyssa's Law on May 5, 2023. Learn more about HB204, HB669, and SB838.
- Tennessee: Passed HB0322 and SB0274 on May 10, 2023. Learn more about Alyssa’s Law in Tennessee here.
- Utah: Passed Alyssa's Law in Utah on April 10, 2024. Learn more about HB0084, HB HB0084S05, HB-84-SUB-5 Summary, and Line 1982, Section 53G-8-805.
- Oklahoma: Passed Alyssa’s Law on June 14, 2024. Learn more about SB1357 and HB4073.
- Louisiana: Passed Alyssa's Law on August 1, 2024. Learn more abut SB207 here.
Pending Implementation of Alyssa's Law
Lawmakers in other states have introduced Alyssa's Law for consideration. To date, Alyssa's Law is currently pending implementation in nine states.
- Nebraska: Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Senator Tony Vargas of Omaha. Learn more about LB1156 here.
- Arizona: Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Representatives Hernandez D. Chavez of Espinoza and Hernandez A. Payne of Sierra. Learn more about HB2803 and HB2638.
- Virginia: Alyssa’s Law was introduced in Virginia by Representative Timothy V. Anderson. Learn more about HB1125 and HB1046.
- Oregon: Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Emerson Levy. Learn more about HB3101 here.
- Georgia: Alyssa’s Law is in progress in the state of Georgia. Learn more about SB32 here.
- Michigan: Alyssa’s Law is in progress in the state of Michigan. Learn more about AB4241 and AB4242.
- Massachusetts: In September of 2023, a bill was scheduled for a joint hearing. Learn more about Bill H.3881 here.
- Pennsylvania: In Pennsylvania, Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Senator Art Haywood and Senator Tracy Pennycuick. Learn more here.
- Alabama: In Alabama, Alyssa’s law has been introduced by legislators. Learn more about Bill 216 here.
Federal School Safety and Security Legislation
The following bills have been introduced at the federal level to help improve school safety and security:
School Violence Prevention and Mitigation Act: The School Violence Prevention and Mitigation Act was introduced on July 10, 2019, and would direct the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services to award grants to public elementary and secondary schools to 1. conduct independent facility security risk assessments, and 2. make necessary, hard security improvements identified by the risk assessment.
Safer Schools Act: The Safer Schools Act of 2021 was introduced on April 21, 2021 by Representative Roger Williams (R-TX-25) with the goal of establishing a grant program to encourage schools to conduct independent security risk assessments, and make physical security improvements based on their results. The Safer Schools Act of 2023, also introduced by Representative Roger Williams (R-TX-25), aims to allow state and local education agencies to utilize some COVID-19 emergency relief funds to on school security and safety measures, including trainings and security risk assessments.
ALYSSA Act: The Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert (ALYSSA) Act, first introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) on October 4, 2019, would mandate and fund the implementation of silent panic alarms for public schools in the United States. HR3661, introduced on June 1, 2021, would reauthorize a program to train school resource officers. HR4999, introduced on July 27, 2023, would require each local educational agency (LEA) to ensure that schools are equipped with at least one silent panic alarm for use in a school security emergency.
SOS Act: The Strengthening Our Schools (SOS) Act of 2023 was introduced by Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) on July 27, 2023 with the goal of increasing investments in well-trained School Resource Officers, ensuring that every school has a first responder on campus in the event of a life-threatening incident.
Implementing a Layered Security Approach in Schools
Silent Panic Alarms
Silent Panic Alert Technologies, sometimes categorized as duress alarms, are emergency notification systems that generate a silent alarm when activated, either manually or through software applications. The primary intent is to signal a life-threatening or emergency situation requiring a response from law enforcement and/or first responders, without alerting a perpetrator—such as an active shooter or intruder.
Panic alarms can be mounted on walls or under desks. While they are helpful in certain facilities, the typical school environment, with multiple student gatherings spread across a large campus, presents unique challenges. Virtual panic buttons installed on smartphones or mobile devices enable teachers to initiate an emergency response more quickly, as their mobile device is usually within reach, rather than requiring them to go to the nearest physical panic button location.
In critical situations, school staff can use their smartphones to provide dispatchers with their exact location and details about the emergency. These app-based buttons can be carried by teachers and administrators to various locations, such as lunchrooms, hallways, or recess areas, making them more practical for emergency notifications.
Offered by Everon, these innovative panic alert technologies integrate seamlessly with a school’s public address/intercom and mass notification systems, providing multiple options for requesting emergency assistance. Strategically located, fixed panic buttons can be complemented with virtual call-in buttons on desktop and laptop PCs, creating layers of protection that can save time and lives.
School Security Risk Assessments
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to physical security in schools. However, a layered, systems-based approach has proven effective for detecting, delaying, and responding to threats while helping avoid a single point of failure. Use the self-assessment below to evaluate your school’s unique risks and identify any existing gaps that need to be addressed.
Security Solutions for Primary and Secondary Schools
Our education team has extensive experience in evaluating the specific needs of K-12 schools, then designing and deploying security, fire, and life safety solutions that support key learning missions while maintaining your safety and security. Contact Everon today for more information or to speak with our dedicated education security specialists.