Proposed bill would require 'panic button' in classrooms

A bill being called "Alyssa’s Law" named after Alyssa Alhadeff, one of the 17 victims in a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018, is being proposed by representatives in the state house and senate.

If passed, the bill would require all public schools to have silent panic buttons in classrooms that would be directly connected to nearby law enforcement according to officials.

They said the button is for life-or-death situations and would draw a quick response.

Richland School District Superintendent Arnold Nadonley said, “This is not something that you want to go halfway with, so you want it done right the first time because when it goes to work, you need it to work.”

State Representatives said in an emergency, like a school shooting, this safety precaution would save time and possibly lives.

Local superintendents said they are receptive of the idea but said they would have to get teachers and other staff members training and making sure the button is secure but still accessible so that the panic alarm is not misused.

Right now, many districts either have or are considering a similar emergency button in their offices but said more protection for students and staff is always needed.

Where the funding of the alert system is coming from and how much will be on schools is unclear at this time, but five states (Florida, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Tennessee) have already passed a version of Alyssa’s Law, and officials said many of those allocated at least a few million dollars to help schools.

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