Alyssa’s Law: History, Updates, and Solutions for Compliance

Alyssa's Law in Alabama

Since February 22, 2024, the Alabama legislature has been working to pass HB216, which incorporates elements of Alyssa’s Law.

Alyssa's Law in Arizona

Alyssa’s Law was first introduced to the Alabama legislature on February 09, 2021, with HB2803. The original bill and its successor, HB 2683, died in committee. There is no active legislation that incorporates Alyssa’s Law at this time.

Alyssa's Law in Florida

Governor Ron DeSantis signed SB70, also known as Alyssa's Law, into law during Florida's 2020 legislative session. The bill was enacted on July 1, 2020, making Florida the second U.S. state to enact it. 

Beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, all public and charter schools in Florida must implement a mobile panic alert system called "Alyssa's Alert." This system must connect with various emergency services technologies and integrate with local 911 infrastructure to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations, ensuring real-time coordination among first responders.

Florida's Department of Education provided a list of 5 approved vendors. The state also allocated $6.4 million in recurring funding to secure panic alert systems for all Florida schools.

Alyssa's Law in Georgia

Georgia’s state legislature has been working to adopt Alyssa’s Law (HB282, SB32) since February 15, 2024.  

Alyssa's Law in Massachusetts

House Bill 3881 has been moving through the Massachusetts state legislature since April 10, 2023. It is accompanied by legislative study order H4583.

Alyssa's Law in Michigan

Michigan has attempted to pass Alyssa’s Law (HB4241) since March 09, 2023. The legislature is simultaneously working to pass HB4242, which would provide funding for the installation of silent panic alarms in the state’s schools.

Alyssa's Law in Nebraska

Alyssa’s Law (LB1156) was introduced to the Nebraska state legislature on January 22, 2020. The bill was indefinitely postponed on August 13, 2020.

Alyssa's Law in New Jersey

New Jersey was the first state to pass Alyssa Law (A764) successfully after it received overwhelming bipartisan support during the New Jersey State Legislature's 2018-2019 session. The bill went into effect on December 1, 2019. New Jersey schools were required to submit compliance certification applications by December 21, 2020.  

In New Jersey, all public elementary and secondary schools must install at least one panic alarm, which sends a silent signal to local law enforcement during emergencies in order to be compliant with Alyssa’s Law. Schools may use alternative emergency mechanisms, but the Department of Education must approve them. The law requires all panic alarms are installed by independently licensed professionals.

To help ease the burden of cost, schools can receive a school security grant under the Bond Act.

Alyssa's Law in New York

New York became the third state to pass Alyssa's Law with Senate Bill S7132B. The legislation passed through the New York State Legislature with cross-party backing during the 2021-2022 legislative session. Governor Kathy Hochul signed the bill into law on June 23, 2022.  

New York's version of Alyssa's Law does not require schools to implement silent panic alarms. Instead, the bill requires district-wide school safety teams to consider implementing one or more wired panic buttons, wireless panic buttons, mobile applications or computer applications as part of their comprehensive district-wide safety plan reviews. The state also requires the safety teams to document their decision-making process.

Schools that choose to move forward with silent panic alarm systems may utilize funding secured through The Smart Schools Bond Act to help finance procurement of devices.

Alyssa's Law in Oklahoma

Governor Kevin Stitt signed HB4073 into law on June 14 this year after the bill received bipartisan approval in the state legislature. The law went into effect July 1, 2024. Schools must begin implementing required mobile panic alert systems for the 2024-2025 school year. 

Oklahoma schools must select a mobile panic alert system that ensures real-time coordination among multiple first responder agencies and designated school personnel, provides emergency responders with vital information such as floor plans and caller location and integrates with existing 911 infrastructure for immediate alerts to comply with the new legislation. The Oklahoma Legislature requires the State Board of Education to create a list of approved mobile panic alert systems that meet the state's safety standards. That approved list should be completed in the next few months.

The Oklahoma State Department of Education will continue funding ongoing panic button contracts through June 30, 2025. Schools may use funding provided through the Safety Revolving Fund to secure mobile panic alert systems that meet the state's new safety standards.

Alyssa's Law in Oregon

First introduced on January 24, 2023, HB3101, Oregon’s version of Alyssa’s Law, is currently stuck in committee.

While the legislature has been unable to pass a measure requiring all schools to be equipped with silent panic alarms, the state is providing funding for schools that wish to use this method of emergency management.

Alyssa's Law in Pennsylvania

Alyssa’s Law (SB1206) is moving through the Pennsylvania legislature after being introduced on May 28, 2024. The state’s education committee is currently reviewing the bill.

Alyssa's Law in Tennessee

Tennessee was the fifth state to incorporate Alyssa's Law into its school safety regulations. SB0724 (HB0322) was signed into law on May 10, 2023, bringing Alyssa's Law as well as additional safety measures to Tennessee Schools.

Like New York's version of Alyssa's Law, Tennessee does not require schools to utilize silent panic alarms. Instead, the law requires each district-wide and building-level school safety team to consider including a mobile panic alert system when evaluating and revising their safety plans. Each system under consideration should connect various emergency services to coordinate real-time responses and work with local 911 systems to send alerts and emergency calls.

Under HB2825, signed into law on May 21, 2024, the state legislature established the School Safety Alert Grant Pilot Program which provides schools with a grant to purchase mobile panic systems. The grant allows up to $8,000 per school in funding per fiscal year with a cap of $48,000.

Alyssa's Law in Texas

The Texas legislature passed HB669, SB838, also known as Alyssa's Law, on April 26, 2023, with the Governor officially signing it into law on May 5, 2023. While the act immediately took effect, school districts have until the 2025-2026 school year to meet compliance. Texas was the fourth state to pass a measure incorporating Alyssa's Law.

Texas's version of Alyssa's Law requires all Texas school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to equip every classroom with silent panic alert technology capable of immediately contacting emergency services, including law enforcement, health departments, and fire departments. Silent panic alert technology will not replace the requirement for classrooms to have telephones or other communication devices.

To help fund the procurement of silent panic alarms, schools can use safety allotment funds or other available funds and follow their usual procurement process.

Alyssa's Law in Utah

On March 12, 2024, Utah became the sixth state to enact Alyssa's Law. The safety measure was incorporated into a much more robust school security bill known as HB0084. Each Local Education Agency (LEA) throughout the state was expected to take action Starting May 1, 2024.

HB0084 requires all LEAs to provide every classroom staff member with a wearable panic alert device that allows for immediate contact with emergency services such as law enforcement agencies, health departments, and fire departments. LEAs must also train all school personnel on using these devices before the next school year begins. Additionally, LEAs must ensure that all security cameras in school buildings are accessible to local law enforcement and work with them to set up access protocols.

The state has outlined funding allocations in the schools' regular operating and capital budgets.

Alyssa's Law in Virginia

First introduced on January 12, 2022, Alyssa’s Law (formerly HB1125, now HB1046) is pending approval by the House Education Committee.