What is Alyssa's Law?
Alyssa’s Law is critical legislation addressing the issue of law enforcement response time when a life-threatening emergency occurs because time equals life. The law calls for the installation of panic alarms that are directly linked to law enforcement. In the case of any emergency, authorities are notified with the push of a button, that then sends a lockdown alert across the schools' campus.
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Alyssa's Law in Tennessee
May 2023, Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN) signed HB0322 into law. As written, the full version of Alyssa's Law passed in Florida requires that schools implement panic alarms paid for with a dedicated funding source. Tennessee's version of the law only asks that schools consider the use of panic alarms, and does not denote specific funding for schools to purchase this needed security system.
Our coalition is demanding that the full version of Alyssa's Law to be enacted in Tennessee.
Note: Alyssa's Law does not negate or take away from any other school safety options, but it does add a layer of protection for our students and teachers should tragedy strike.
To date, versions of Alyssa's Law have passed in seven states:
NJ (2019) - requires panic alarms, security grant funding
FL (2020) - requires panic alarms, dedicated recurring funding
NY (2022) - requires school boards to include information regarding the decision to implement panic alarms
TX (2023) - requires panic alarms, one-time funding
TN (2023) - "considers" the use of panic alarms
UT (2024) - requires panic alarms, dedicated recurring funding
OK (2024) - requires panic alarms, dedicated revolving funding
National Reach
There has been legislation introduced to enact Alyssa's Law in AL, AZ, GA, MA, MI, NE, PA, OH, OR, and VA