CENTEGIX | Education

Alyssa’s Law

Making Schools Safer Every Day

CENTEGIX | Education

Alyssa’s Law

Making Schools Safer Every Day

What is Alyssa’s Law?

Alyssa’s Law requires public elementary and secondary schools to be equipped with “silent panic alarms directly linked to law enforcement.” The law is named in honor of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting victim Alyssa Alhadeff.

The purpose of Alyssa’s Law is to decrease the time it takes for first responders to arrive at an emergency situation—whether it’s a shooting, a natural disaster, or any other unforeseen event. The legislation requires schools to make it possible for staff to request immediate assistance, no matter the nature of the emergency. 

Where is Alyssa’s Law Being Implemented?

Alyssa’s Law has passed in several states: New Jersey in February 2019, Florida in June 2020, New York in June 2022, and Texas and Tennessee in May 2023. Lawmakers in Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, Nebraska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia have introduced Alyssa’s Law for consideration. Alyssa’s Law has also been introduced on the federal level.

A graphic showing the states in the U.S. that have introduced Alyssa's Law legislation and states that have passed it.

New Jersey

On February 6, 2019, Governor Phil Murphy signed NJ A764, also known as Alyssa’s Law.

Florida

On June 30, 2020, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed Alyssa’s Law (SB-70) into law.

New York

On June 23, 2022, New York passed Senate Bill S7132B, also referred to as Alyssa’s Law, authorizing school boards to “include information regarding the installation of a panic alarm system” when districts are revisiting their school safety plans.

Texas

On May 5, 2023, Governor Abbott signed SB 838/HB 669 into law, requiring silent panic alert technology in classrooms beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.

Tennessee

On May 10, 2023, House Bill 0322 was signed into law. Included in the bill was a mandate for Alyssa’s Law. It requires that school safety teams must consider incorporating a mobile panic alert system into their safety plans.

Arizona

For the state of Arizona, Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Representatives Hernandez D. Chavez of Espinoza and Hernandez A. Payne of Sierra.

Georgia

SB 32, also known as Alyssa’s Law, was introduced in the Georgia legislature in early 2023.

Michigan

Michigan Rep. Brenda Carter introduced Alyssa’s Law legislation in May 2023.

Nebraska

For the state of Nebraska, Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Senator Tony Vargas of Omaha LB1156.

Oregon

For Oregon, Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Representative Emerson Levy, HB 3101.

Pennsylvania

Two bills supporting Alyssa’s Law were introduced in Pennsylvania in December 2023, one in the Senate and one in the House. Sens. Art Haywood, D-Philadelphia, and Tracy Pennycuick, R-Red Hill, introduced the legislation in the state Senate. House Reps. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, D-Wyomissing, Justin Fleming, D-Harrisburg, and Kyle Donahue, D-Scranton, are carrying the measure in the state House.

Utah

In December 2023, Rep. Ryan Wilcox, R-Ogden introduced school safety legislation HB 84, requiring panic alert devices, among other things, in Utah schools.

Virginia

Alyssa’s Law was introduced by Representative Timothy V. Anderson for Virginia in HB 1125.

Federal

In July 2023, Representative Joshua Gottheimer (D-NJ) and other Congressional leaders introduced the Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert (ALYSSA) Act. The legislation requires public schools across America to provide all classrooms with silent panic alarm technology. This legislation has not yet passed.

Alyssa’s Law Requirements

Alyssa’s Law aims to improve law enforcement response time to life-threatening emergencies in schools. The legislation requires “the installation of silent panic alarms that are directly linked to law enforcement, so in case of any emergency they will get on the scene as quickly as possible, take down a threat and triage any victims.”

Districts seeking to comply with Alyssa’s Law must therefore invest in everyday safety solutions that improve emergency response times. In an emergency, every second matters. 

School safety solutions that include silent panic alarms enable school staff to request help in various situations:  

A student or staff member facing a medical emergency

An individual threatening a teacher

Active shooters

A student attempting to self-harm

A suspicious or disapproved person on campus

CENTEGIX’s CrisisAlert Achieves Alyssa’s Law Compliance

CrisisAlert technology is designed to improve communication with first responders, empower staff members to request assistance, and make school buildings more secure.  The CENTEGIX CrisisAlert safety solution fulfills the purpose of Alyssa’s law: to decrease emergency response times, saving lives and creating a culture of safety in schools.

CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™ Features Include:

    • a mobile panic alert system
    • connections to diverse emergency services technologies
    • real-time coordination among multiple first responder agencies, including county, local, and on-site responders
    • integration with local public safety answering points to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations

    Unlike safety solutions that rely on mobile-based apps, CrisisAlert features a wearable panic button that enables staff to request assistance from anywhere on campus. CrisisAlert technology does not require cellular or Wi-Fi service to initiate a safety alert; it is reliable and functional in any emergency.

      Wireless Safety System from CENTEGIX

      CENTEGIX CrisisAlert’s Innovative Technology Delivers:

      Total Property Coverage icon

      100% coverage of all indoor spaces and outdoor areas

      Location Accuracy icon

      Location accuracy to the floor- and room-level 

      One Button Activation icon

      Wearable panic buttons to empower every staff member—not just teachers

      Audio Visual Notifications icons

      Audio and visual alert notifications, including lighted strobes and desktop screen takeovers

        Attendance Icon

        Integration with intercoms

        Funding for School Safety Solutions

        To comply with Alyssa’s Law, state governments have made grant money available to school districts. Texas, Florida, and New Jersey have allocated many millions of dollars to ensure their schools achieve compliance. Funding requirements and resources vary by state. 

        On the federal level, the U.S. Department of Justice’s School Violence Prevention Program provides funding for school safety solutions. The 2023 application deadline passed in May, but districts can anticipate that more funds will be available for 2024. The same is true of the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s STOP School Violence Grant Program, which can be used to implement training, purchase technological safety solutions, and execute school safety strategies. 

        Funds have been used to upgrade school safety features, including but not limited to:

        • purchasing panic alarm systems
        • replacing or enhancing doors and windows
        • purchasing access control systems
        • improving perimeter security

        The CENTEGIX CrisisAlert solution enables schools to achieve the measures specified in Alyssa’s Law, and its many features align with different states’ school safety standards. CENTEGIX’s multilayered approach to school safety provides campus-wide coverage and swift communication with emergency responders whose intervention can save lives. 

        CENTEGIX CrisisAlert’s innovative technology empowers and protects school staff and students. Discover how CrisisAlert can help your district achieve compliance with Alyssa’s Law and shorten emergency response times by connecting with a CENTEGIX specialist today. 

        CENTEGIX Life-Saving Stories

        CrisisAlert Helps Save a Life at Brantley County Schools

        One teacher’s quick-thinking and use of CrisisAlert got help to the scene quickly during a medical emergency and resulted in a life being saved at Brantley County Schools in Nahunta, GA. Hear Superintendent Dr. Kim Morgan share how the event unfolded.

        School Day Student Cardiac Arrest

        Earlier this year, a student at Avon Park High School in Avon Park, FL, collapsed after sudden cardiac arrest. Quick thinking and use of the CENTEGIX CrisisAlert badge was used to get help to the scene within two minutes. Read the full news story here.

        Madisyn Miners Life Saving Story

        Child’s Life Saved Due to Teacher’s Quick Thinking and Use of CrisisAlert Badge

        One teacher’s quick-thinking and use of CrisisAlert got help to the scene quickly during a medical emergency and resulted in a life being saved at Brantley County Schools in Nahunta, GA. Hear Superintendent Dr. Kim Morgan share how the event unfolded.

        Schedule a Demo to Learn How CrisisAlert Can Help You Meet Alyssa’s Law Requirements

        “We partnered with CrisisAlert to give each and every one of our employees the ability to call for help anytime anywhere when they are on one of our campuses. For a 30-year law enforcement professional, we call that a force multiplier, with this technology in the hands of over 25,000 employees, that gives me 25,000 sets of eyes to help keep the campus safe.”

        Chief John Newman
        Director of Safety & Security
        Hillsborough County Schools

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        Alyssa’s Law News

        Thumbnail of the Michigan Alyssa's Law Introduction Video

        Michigan Rep. Brenda Carter Introduces Alyssa's Law

        Earlier this month, State Rep. Brenda Carter has taken up Alyssa’s law, which would require schools to install panic alert systems to rapidly initiate lockdowns and alert the authorities if adopted in Michigan. Watch our video to learn more.

        Watch the video>

        Empty desks in a classroom with a green chalkboard.

        Tennessee Passes Alyssa's Law

        Tennessee legislators recently passed Alyssa’s Law, a law that encourages schools to equip all classrooms with panic buttons. Now it heads to Governor Bill Lee’s desk, where he is expected to sign it. Learn more about the story in this video.

        Watch the video>

        Governor Abbott alongside the Alhadeff family and supporters of Alyssa's Law

        CENTEGIX Applauds Texas after Alyssa’s Law Officially Enacted

        Texas becomes the fifth state to pass Alyssa’s law. Texas requires all schools to have silent panic alarm technology. Learn more about the legislation and what it means for Texas schools in our press release.

        Read the press release>

        An empty school hallway filled with turquoise lockers.

        Leading School Safety Provider Applauds Introduction of ALYSSA Act

        CENTEGIX commended Rep. Joshua Gottheimer (D-NJ) and other Congressional leaders for their introduction of the Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act.

        Read the press release>

        Explore More Safety Resources

        Teacher talking to student in a classroom while wearing her CrisisAlert badge.

        Florida HB301: What is it? Why is it Important? What’s Required?

        Enacted on July 1, 2023, Florida’s HB301 provides funds and guidance for creating digital maps of schools that law enforcement can use during emergency situations.

        Read the blog>

        Schools safety with CrisisAlert

        Texas Ahead of the Curve with New Bill: Texas HB3

        Texas HB3 ushers in a historic increase in funding for Texas schools, but with this bill come some changes. How can you make sure you comply with this new law?

        Read the blog>

        school teacher wearing a panic alert badge

        Alyssa’s Law Supports Wearable Panic Buttons as Silent Panic Alert Solution

        Alyssa’s Law requires schools to install silent panic alarms. Wearable panic buttons can be a vital component of any school safety plan.

        Read the blog>

        An empty school hallway filled with turquoise lockers.

        School Safety Standards by State

        Schools in any state can meet school safety grant funding requirements by choosing CENTEGIX CrisisAlert™ solution.

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