The New York Assembly passed Alyssa’s Law which would require school districts to consider installing panic alarm systems (A.10018Zebrowski), Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski announced Saturday.
“Schools should be a safe place for our children to learn and grow,” said Assembly Speaker Heastie. “While we passed a comprehensive package of legislation to strengthen our state’s gun laws, installing these technologies will add a layer of security to our schools in the event of a shooting or emergency, and provide schools with a direct line of communication with law enforcement,” he added.
Alyssa’s Law would require school district-wide security teams to consider, as part of their review of the district’s comprehensive security plan, the installation of a panic alarm system to silently alert law enforcement in the event of an emergency or life-threatening situation. The bill is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, who was shot to death at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018.
“Alyssa’s Law will improve school safety plans across the state by ensuring districts consider panic alarms and direct communication technologies between buildings and police,” said Assemblyman Kenneth P. Zebrowski. “These technologies and procedures can reduce response times and save lives during a school shooting. This bill will not bring Alyssa back, but it will honor her memory. I would like to especially thank Alyssa’s mother, Lori, her cousin Jaydn, and the rest of her family for their tireless work to make our schools safer.”
As the legislation had already been approved by the New York Senate, it would only be necessary for Governor Kathy Hochul to sign it for it to be read.
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