florida state capitol building

Florida Lawmaker Introduces “Alyssa’s Law” To Require Panic Alarms in Public Schools

The bill, a version of which was already signed into law in New Jersey, would require Florida public schools to install silent panic alarms in each building.

  • By Haley Samsel
  • August 22, 2019

Following one of the deadliest school shootings in American history in Parkland, Florida, state lawmakers have taken action to improve campus safety, including measures mandating monthly active shooter drills and armed security guards at every school in the state. Now, a state legislator is proposing a bill that would mandate panic alarms in public schools starting next year.

Florida state Rep. Michael Gottlieb, a Democrat from Broward County, has introduced “Alyssa’s Law,” named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. The school is located within the county.

The bill would require each school building to have at least one panic alarm for use in a school security emergency, including non-fire evacuations, lockdowns, or active shooter situations. In addition, the silent alarm must have a direct connection to local law enforcement that would send an immediate signal or message to first responders once activated.

“This is a necessary response to a growing evil in today’s society and a step in the right direction, something that I believe should gain bipartisan support,” Gottlieb said in a statement published by Florida Politics.

A companion bill was introduced last year by state Sen. Lauren Book but did not make it through committee. In February, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed a version of “Alyssa’s Law” requiring silent panic alarms in the state’s schools.

If Gottlieb’s bill is passed, Florida schools would be required to have the alarms by July 1, 2020.

“Who wouldn’t want to give these schools a better chance if something like this were to happen again?” Gottlieb said. “We must continue this congruent effort until we find some preventative solutions to our mass shooting epidemic.”

About the Author

Haley Samsel is an Associate Content Editor for the Infrastructure Solutions Group at 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Ensuring School Bus Safety: Tech-Driven Advancements and Their Impact on Student Transportation

    Parents and school districts have always shared one fundamental, non-negotiable goal: to keep students safe while traveling to and from school. Period. Read Now

  • How Campus Security Became an Art of Disappearing

    Walk across any university campus at 8:47 a.m. on a Tuesday, and you'll witness something remarkable. Thousands of students stream through buildings, carrying everything from vintage MacBooks to oversized coffee cups, lost in conversations about weekend plans or upcoming exams. If the right weapons detection is in place, most will never notice the sophisticated security measures protecting them. This invisibility can represent the highest achievement in modern campus security design. Read Now

  • Torrance USD Standardizes Its Mass Communications

    The Torrance Unified School District is a cornerstone of the Torrance, Calif. community, dedicated to providing a high-quality education that prepares students for success in college, career, and life. Serving a diverse student population, Torrance USD delivers a comprehensive and enriching educational experience from kindergarten through high school. The school district comprises 17 elementary, eight middle, and five high schools, one continuation high school, and one alternative high school.  Read Now

  • How a Rural School District Enhanced Safety, Reduced Vaping, and Improved Efficiency by Modernizing Security

    As educational leaders, our primary mission is creating safe, productive learning environments where our students can thrive. Today, that unfortunately means addressing ever-evolving challenges that range from security threats to the growing epidemic of student vaping, all while managing tight budgets and (for many of us) geographically dispersed facilities. Read Now

Most   Popular