Kentucky lawmakers consider Alyssa’s Law to add panic alert systems in schools

FRANKFORT, Ky. (ABC36 NEWS NOW) – Kentucky lawmakers are considering a new proposal they say could help make schools across the Commonwealth safer.

The legislation under discussion is called Alyssa’s Law, which would help school districts install silent panic alert systems in schools.

The bill is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old who was killed during the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

Under the proposal, teachers and school staff would wear badges equipped with panic buttons. Supporters say the system would allow staff to silently alert emergency services during an incident.

“This gives the educator or the person wearing that badge an opportunity to click that button on the back of their badge a different number of times based on the incident to automatically respond in an integrated way with local dispatch, local law enforcement, first responders,” Representative Chad Aull said.

Officials say the alert would immediately notify dispatch and first responders that help is needed at the school, without anyone having to call 911.

Lawmakers backing the measure say the technology would not replace school resource officers but would instead serve as an additional safety tool for schools.