What is Alyssa’s Law and How Can DeskAlerts Instruments Help Schools?

Many states across the USA have now implemented “Alyssa’s Law” to help improve emergency response times in public elementary and secondary schools. Is your school properly equipped to carry out its obligations under this new law?

Table of contents

What is Alyssa’s Law?

Why is it called Alyssa’s Law?

Alyssa's Law Requirements for Schools

Which states have adopted Alyssa’s Law?

How Can DeskAlerts instruments help schools?

What is Alyssa’s Law?

Alyssa’s Law is legislation that aims to improve and accelerate law enforcement response time during emergencies at public elementary and secondary schools. The law calls for 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.

Alyssa’s Law is being implemented on a state-by-state basis so it is already in force in some parts of the United States, while other states it is being considered by legislatures and in others it hasn’t been introduced at all, at the time of writing.

Why is it called Alyssa’s Law?

Alyssa’s Law was named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, who was killed in a mass school shooting on February 14, 2018.

Alyssa’s mother, Lori Alhadeff, founded a nonprofit organization called Make Our Schools Safe, which aims to provide safety features tailored to the specific needs of schools. The organization was instrumental in expediting the legislation, which was named in Alyssa’s memory.

Alyssa's Law Requirements for Schools

The exact Alyssa’s Law requirements that schools must follow will vary from state to state, depending on what is included in the legislation. However, in general, these are Alyssa’s Law inclusions you may encounter:

1. Silent panic alarms:

• Schools must install silent panic alarms that are directly connected to local law enforcement.
• These alarms should be strategically placed to allow for rapid and efficient response.
• They must be easy to activate, even in high-stress situations, to ensure that help can be summoned swiftly.

2. Direct connection to law enforcement:

• The panic alarms must be directly linked to local law enforcement agencies.
• This direct connection enables immediate notification and response by law enforcement officers in the event of an emergency.
• The response time is critical in mitigating potential harm and saving lives.

3. Rapid law enforcement response:

• Law enforcement agencies are required to respond promptly to activated panic alarms.
• They are expected to arrive on the scene with urgency to address the emergency effectively.
• The goal is to minimize the time between the alarm activation and the arrival of law enforcement personnel.

4. Emergency plans and drills:

• Schools must develop and implement comprehensive emergency plans in collaboration with local law enforcement.
• These plans should include protocols for lockdown procedures, evacuation routes, and communication with students, staff, and parents.
• Regular drills and exercises are necessary to ensure that everyone in the school community is familiar with the emergency procedures.

5. School safety assessments:

• Schools are required to conduct regular safety assessments to identify potential vulnerabilities and areas for improvement.
• These assessments should involve input from school administrators, staff, students, and law enforcement officials.
• The findings of the assessments should be used to strengthen the school's security measures and emergency preparedness.

6. Communication with parents and the community:

• Schools must communicate with parents and the community about the implementation of Alyssa's Law and the related safety measures.
• This includes providing information about the panic alarms, emergency plans, and drills.
• Transparent communication helps build trust and confidence in the school's commitment to student safety.

SCHOOL ALERT SYSTEM FOR 2024 – 5 EMERGENCY MESSAGE TEMPLATES

Which states have adopted Alyssa’s Law?

At the time of writing (May 2024) the following states have passed Alyssa’s Law:

• New Jersey: Alyssa’s Law was passed in New Jersey on February 6, 2019, and has gone into effect.
• Florida: Alyssa’s Law was passed in Florida on June 30, 2020.
• New York: Alyssa’s Law was passed in New York on June 23, 2022.
• Texas: Alyssa’s Law was passed in Texas in May 2023.
• Tennessee: Alyssa’s Law was passed in Tennessee in May 2023.
• Utah: Alyssa’s Law was passed in the state of Utah in April 2024.

Other states that have introduced Alyssa’s Law (but have not yet passed it) at the time of writing include Nebraska, Arizona, Virginia, Oregon, Georgia, Michigan, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania and Oklahoma.

How Can DeskAlerts instruments help schools?

DeskAlerts is a software solution that enables educational institutions to send critical information to employees and students via various digital channels. The software can send alerts to desktops, mobile devices, digital signage, SMS services and email.

The software is designed to ensure that employees and students receive and see the messages sent by the organization successfully. The system can be used for various purposes, including emergency notifications, IT outages, system failures and general announcements. It provides features like surveys, quizzes, polls and targeting options to enhance internal communication.

For schools looking for assistance with their Alyssa’s Law obligations, DeskAlerts can help by providing a panic button system that enables teachers and staff to quickly alert law enforcement and school administrators in case of an emergency.

With DeskAlerts, schools can:

• Install a panic button on teachers' desktops and mobile devices
• Send instant alerts to law enforcement and school administrators with critical information such as location and nature of the emergency
• Trigger automatic lockdown procedures and alerts to students, parents, and staff
• Provide real-time updates and instructions during an emergency
• Conduct regular drills and tests to ensure preparedness

The DeskAlerts panic button system is designed to be easy to use, fast, and reliable, ensuring that help arrives quickly in case of an emergency. By implementing DeskAlerts, schools can meet the requirements of Alyssa's Law and provide a safer learning environment for their students and staff.

COMMUNICATION IN EDUCATION