JEFFERSON CITY – Missouri legislators are considering a measure, known as HB:3174 or Alyssa’s Law which would require public schools to provide an emergency alert system that improves first responder response time in any emergency.
Versions of Alyssa’s Law have passed in Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, Oregon, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Washington with bipartisan support.
Named for Alyssa Alhadeff, one of 17 students killed February 14, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Alyssa’s Law is bipartisan legislation that aims to create standards around school safety and emergency response.
Emergency alert systems that can be triggered discretely, such as a wearable alarm button, decrease the time it takes for first responders to arrive at an emergency situation – whether it’s a shooting, a natural disaster or any other unforeseen event.
The 2024 school shooting in Barrow County, Georgia at Apalachee was contained in 38 seconds, while Uvalde, Texas’s Robb Elementary response and containment stretched to over 81 minutes, allowing casualties to increase and medical access to be delayed. Initial response and containment time determine outcomes.
Suporters say panic alarm systems save lives. When seconds matter, schools need a direct and reliable connection and precise location sharing with first responders to ensure that kids and teachers can find safety quickly.
Missouri is already leading school safety efforts, as the first state to have a statewide contract to require public schools to be equipped with a panic alarm in case of a sudden emergency such as a medical issue, behavioral matter or active shooting situation.
Supporters of the Alyssa’s Law say mobile panic button devices are better than the phone apps which Missouri currently uses.
Missouri legislators were scheduled to consider the measure Tuesday morning.