Table of Contents

Alyssa's Law Federal Legislation

Reducing Law Enforcement Response Time

Alyssa’s Law addresses the issue of law enforcement response time when a life-threatening emergency occurs. The law calls for the installation of warning lights and a panic alarm in  schools to provide the fastest possible support during a code red. In a code red, every second counts.  Alyssa's Law has now been passed in the state of New Jersey and in the state of Florida.  Petitions have been started to ensure the Alyssa Law gets passed at the national level.  

The Alyssa Law was named after 14 year old Alyssa Alhadeff, who lost her life in the Stoneman Douglas School shooting. Investigation of the tragedy found that insufficient response time was found to be a contributing factor in the loss of life.  The Alyssa Law would require all public elementary and secondary schools to install either silent panic alarms or alternative emergency mechanisms approved by The Department of Education. To learn more about Alyssa's Law and the organization behind it, visit the Make Our Schools Safe website. 

Alyssas Law Pic

The bill is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, one of the 17 murdered during the 2018 attack at Broward County’s Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.  

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ASR and Federal Alyssa's Law

Mass Notification Instantly

ASR Alert Systems is a state-of-the-art critical incident response technology specializing in the field of threat alert notifications to local Law Enforcement and First Responders in the event of a crisis. The threat notification capabilities include Active Shooter/Assailant, Medical and Severe Weather. Our team of professionals has diverse experience in Security, Law Enforcement and Special Operations Military. ASR has melded these capabilities for use in both the public and private sectors.

          Quotation Open  ASR’s President, Hector Delgado says, “Our system empowers students, faculty and staff to notify local first responders, 911 dispatch, and all personnel within their facility in an active shooter/assailant situation with the simple push of a button. The notification pinpoints and provides the exact location of the threat. This not only helps police respond immediately with accurate information, but it also helps our students, faculty and staff know where the threat is located so they can run away from the threat, not towards it. There is no question that the ASR Alert System can make a difference, we truly believe that saving time saves lives!”

Reps. Deutch, Williams Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Safeguard our Schools

Congressman Ted Deutch (FL-22) and Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25) introduced the Safer Schools Act to establish a new grant program that funds vulnerability assessments and physical security improvements to improve the safety of students and teachers in the classroom.

"Students and teachers should never have to fear for their safety in the classroom, yet we know that schools across the country are struggling to respond to gaps in their security plans,” said Congressman Deutch. “This bipartisan bill will help schools access risk assessments to identify and fix any vulnerabilities in their security protocols. A key component of this legislation, named Alyssa’s Law in remembrance of Alyssa Alhadeff who was killed in the 2018 Marjorie Stoneman Douglas tragedy, will help more schools adopt alarm systems that directly alert law enforcement, which can improve emergency response times and save lives."

“While I pray for the day that no child or teacher ever feels unsafe in the classroom, we must take immediate action now to protect our schools,” said Congressman Williams. “In the Safer Schools Act, public school districts can apply for funding directly from the Department of Justice to pay for assessments on their campus security vulnerabilities, and for any corrective physical improvements. Funding should not be an obstacle for administrators who want to proactively address their physical security concerns, and early action could be the difference between life and death in an emergency. Congress must assume the tremendous responsibility to keep our students and educators safe in the classroom, and I urge consideration of Safer Schools Act on the floor of the House of Representatives as soon as possible.”

“The Safer Schools Act of 2021, with the provision to expand Alyssa’s Law nationwide, is the most viable and realistic proposal to address the prevalent gaps in both school safety and security. Alyssa’s Law, named after my 14-year-old daughter who was shot 10 times at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on 2/14/18, calls for the installation of silent panic buttons, allowing a direct link to law enforcement to improve emergency response time and save lives. No parent should have to fear losing a child in school, as I did Alyssa in 2018.” - Lori Alhadeff, President of Make Our Schools Safe

WHAT’S NEXT????

We can ALL do our part to help MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE! Do you, or someone you know, want to get involved? You can call your own local legislators and ask him or her to co-sponsor the Safer Schools Act where you live. For information about how to get involved, please contact info@makeourschoolssafe.org. Your voice is your power to MAKE OUR SCHOOLS SAFE. Thank you.

 

6/1/21 - Gottheimer Introduces the ALYSSA Act — Bipartisan School Safety Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) formally introduced bipartisan legislation, the Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in School Safety Alert Act (ALYSSA Act), named after Alyssa Alhadeff — a North Jersey native who lost her life in the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, in 2018. Gottheimer is introducing the bipartisan bill with an additional five Democratic and five Republican original co-sponsors.

The ALYSSA Act will require panic alarms in all schools to immediately alert law enforcement of an active shooter situation. The bill will also increase investment in more well-trained School Resource Officers, to help protect students and faculty.

“On 2-14-2018, I texted my daughter Alyssa, telling her to run and hide and that help was on the way.  That help never arrived and Alyssa died. Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act needs to be a legislative priority in order to make our schools safe.  The time is now, not AFTER the next school shooting,” said Lori Alhadeff, mother of Alyssa Alhadeff.

“New Jersey is leading the way on school safety and it’s about time we expand school safety measures nationwide,” said Congressman Bill Pascrell, Jr. (NJ-9). “I am proud to cosponsor this bill named for Alyssa Alhadeff, whose life was tragically taken during the despicable Marjory Stoneman Douglas shooting. We can and must do better for our students today and for students tomorrow. Our future depends on it.” 

Find the bill text here.

2/12/21 - Gottheimer Announces ALYSSA Act — Bipartisan Nationwide School Safety Legislation, Ahead of the Parkland Shooting’s Third Anniversary

Bill named in memory of North Jersey native Alyssa Alhadeff - Alhadeff family joins Gottheimer to announce bipartisan legislation.  Requires panic alarms in all public schools & increases access to School Resource Officers.

February 12, 2021, 6:28 pm 

Only 29% of schools report using panic alarms directly connected to local law enforcement.

GLEN ROCK, NJ — Today, U.S. Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5) joined the parents of Alyssa Alhadeff — a North Jersey native who lost her life in the tragic shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, in 2018, three years ago this weekend — to announce the bipartisan Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in School Safety Alert Act (the ALYSSA Act).

The ALYSSA Act is bipartisan federal legislation to require silent panic alarms in all schools to immediately alert law enforcement of an active shooter situation. The bill will also increase investment in more well-trained School Resource Officers, to help protect students and faculty.  
The Alhadeff family originally lived in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, in the Fifth Congressional District, before moving to Parkland, FL.

“We are here today to honor Alyssa and turn her memory, and the pain her family and friends carry every day, into action. We are here to announce bipartisan legislation — the ALYSSA Act — to help protect children, like Alyssa, and all students, in the one public place they should feel safest: their schools,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “Together, with silent alarms in every school directly connected to local law enforcement agencies and with School Resource Officers at more schools around the country, we are taking concrete steps to help further protect our children in their schools.”

“In a life threatening emergency situation, seconds count. The ALYSSA Act will save lives by empowering our teachers to push a button that is directly linked to law enforcement. The ALYSSA Act needs to be an equitable, standard level of school safety protection in every school around the country. This is a movement and together we will Make Our Schools Safe!” said Lori Alhadeff, the mother of Alyssa Alhadeff and co-founder of Make Our Schools Safe.

In February 2019, the State of New Jersey signed legislation into law — championed by the Alhadeffs — to require all New Jersey public schools to install silent panic alarms that can be activated in case of an active-shooter situation.  Today’s announcement of the ALYSSA Act will bring that requirement to all 98,000 public schools nationwide, and will cut federal red-tape to create specially-designated investment in bringing trained School Resource Officers to more schools.  According to the most recent data from the National Center for Education Statistics, only 29% of schools report using silent alarms that are directly connected to local law enforcement.

The bipartisan Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act (the ALYSSA Act) includes the following provisions:

  • Provision I — Silent Panic Alarms  
    This bill will bring the same requirements enshrined in New Jersey’s Alyssa’s Law to all public schools nationwide.  There are more than 98,000 public schools in the United States and, under this legislation, all that receive federal funding under Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) will be required to install silent alarms.  These silent alarms are utilized by schools in the case of an emergency such as a lockdown or active-shooter situation. When activated, the alarms can remain silent in the building and alert local law enforcement to the emergency via a signal or message.

  • Provision II — School Resources Officers
    Going a step further, this bill will also ensure every school has access to School Resource Officers (SROs).  This legislation will cut federal red-tape to provide for specially-designated investment in bringing trained SROs to all schools, without having to meet additional complicated and changing standards from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

United States Congress House of Representatives Bill #H.R.4606

H.R.4606 Summary:

Sponsor:  Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] (Introduced 10/04/2019)

Committees:House - Education and Labor; Judiciary

Latest Action:House - 10/28/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.  (All Actions)

Short Titles - House of Representatives
Short Titles as Introduced

  • ALYSSA Act
  • Alyssa's Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act

Official Titles - House of Representatives

Official Title as Introduced
To amend the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 and the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to require silent alarms in elementary schools and secondary schools, and for other purposes.

All Actions

10/28/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
Action By: Committee on the Judiciary

10/04/2019 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Action By: House of Representatives

10/04/2019 Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Action By: House of Representatives


10/04/2019 Introduced in House
Action By: House of Representatives

Co-Sponsor:  Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]* 10/04/2019

As of 05/23/2020 no related bill information has been received for H.R.4606 - Alyssa's Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act

READ FULL TEXT OF PENDING LEGISLATION HERE

 

United States Congress House of Representatives Bill #H.R.3665

H.R.3665 Summary:

H.R.3665 - School Violence Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2019 - 116th Congress (2019-2020) 

Sponsor: Rep. Williams, Roger [R-TX-25] (Introduced 07/10/2019)
Committees: House - Judiciary
Latest Action: House - 07/30/2019 Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.

Summary

To establish a grant program to encourage schools to conduct independent facility security risk assessments and make hard security improvements, and for other purposes.

To establish a grant program to encourage schools to conduct independent facility security risk assessments and make hard security improvements, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the “School Violence Prevention and Mitigation Act of 2019”.

SEC. 2. SCHOOL SECURITY GRANT.

The Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 is amended by inserting after part BB the following:

“PART CC—RISK ASSESSMENT AND HARD SECURITY GRANT
“SEC. 2901. INDEPENDENT FACILITY SECURITY RISK ASSESSMENTS.
“(a) In General.—Beginning not later than 180 days after the date of enactment of this part, the Director of the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (referred to in this part as the ‘COPS Director’) shall award grants to public schools to have independent facility security risk assessments performed.

Cosponsors

Rep. Deutch, Theodore E. [D-FL-22]* 07/10/2019
Rep. Weber, Randy K., Sr. [R-TX-14] 07/11/2019
Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12] 07/22/2019
Rep. Mooney, Alexander X. [R-WV-2] 07/22/2019
Rep. Hastings, Alcee L. [D-FL-20] 07/22/2019
Rep. Ryan, Tim [D-OH-13] 07/22/2019
Rep. Budd, Ted [R-NC-13] 07/23/2019
Rep. Kuster, Ann M. [D-NH-2] 07/23/2019
Rep. Mitchell, Paul [R-MI-10] 07/25/2019
Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5] 07/25/2019
Rep. LaMalfa, Doug [R-CA-1] 07/25/2019
Rep. Shalala, Donna E. [D-FL-27] 07/25/2019
Rep. Gibbs, Bob [R-OH-7] 08/30/2019
Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1] 08/30/2019
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2] 08/30/2019
Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6] 08/30/2019
Rep. Graves, Tom [R-GA-14] 08/30/2019
Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4] 08/30/2019
Rep. Olson, Pete [R-TX-22] 08/30/2019
Rep. Tipton, Scott R. [R-CO-3] 08/30/2019
Rep. Huizenga, Bill [R-MI-2] 08/30/2019
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1] 08/30/2019
Rep. Brady, Kevin [R-TX-8] 08/30/2019
Rep. Comer, James [R-KY-1] 08/30/2019
Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] 08/30/2019
Rep. Lawson, Al, Jr. [D-FL-5] 08/30/2019
Rep. McCaul, Michael T. [R-TX-10] 09/06/2019
Rep. Gonzalez, Anthony [R-OH-16] 09/09/2019
Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19] 09/10/2019
Rep. Flores, Bill [R-TX-17] 09/10/2019
Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2] 09/11/2019
Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3] 09/12/2019
Rep. Bucshon, Larry [R-IN-8] 09/25/2019
Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9] 10/08/2019
Rep. Phillips, Dean [D-MN-3] 10/08/2019
Rep. Castor, Kathy [D-FL-14] 10/22/2019
Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13] 10/23/2019
Rep. Carter, John R. [R-TX-31] 11/19/2019

READ FULL TEXT OF PENDING LEGISLATION HERE

 
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Active Shooter Alert Act

Active Shooter Alert Act (H.R.6538)

A new bill has been introduced in the United States Congress in hopes of tackling active shooter situations.  The Active Shooter Alert Act.  The bill, H. R. 6538, has bipartisan support and the uniqueness of the bill is that it’s similar to the AMBER alert system.

“This would appoint an individual at the Department of Justice to be active shooter coordinator to figure out what is the best implementation to treat active shooter situations,” Mace said. “Just like we do AMBER alerts, and implementing some kind of system similar to that.”

The bill is sponsored by David Cicilline (RI-01).  According to his website, The Active Shooter Alert Act would answer these calls by appointing an Active Shooter Alert Coordinator within the DOJ. The Coordinator would offer federal training, technical support, and best practices to local and state law enforcement to effectively improve or implement active shooter alert systems. These resources would include guidance developed by subject matter experts, such as recommendations on making alerts in the vicinity of a shooter silent so the shooter is not alerted to those sheltered in place or advice on what information is most effective to include in public alerts and how alerts should be sent. This program would be available for law enforcement to utilize on a voluntary basis to improve their system of letting civilians know to stay away and stay safe.

The alert system would come into use for mass shootings at places like schools, places of worship, or populated areas.  CLICK HERE for the full text of the House Bill.

 

How You Can Help

Encourage Your School to Contact Us

Being involved with school safety is on every parents mind.  You can help to make certain that YOUR SCHOOL is implementing this life-saving critical incident response technology by encouraging your school to reach out to us to schedule a free demonstration.

Remember:

  • Saving Time Saves Lives.
  • ASR is currently offering special bundle pricing for schools to implement systems outlined in Alyssa's Law.
  • For every school system installed in compliance with Alyssa's Law, ASR will donate $400 to Make Our Schools Safe.  You can read more about this amazing organization by clicking HERE.

Become a Voice for Change

A petition has been started to ensure the Alyssa Law gets passed at the national level. The law was passed in New Jersey earlier this year and implemented for the start of the 2019-2020 school year. State Representative Michael Gottlieb has sponsored the bill and will need the legislature to agree to allow alarms in schools.

The public can help bring Alyssa's Law through to the national level by signing the petition using the link below. The petition has a goal of 10,000 signatures. 

To sign the petition CLICK HERE

Donate Directly to Make Our Schools Safe

We align with Make Our Schools Safe in their belief that no one should be afraid to go to school. Together, let’s provide secure environments where our children can focus on learning and growing without the worry of violence.

Donations will support MOSS security education in order to provide best practices and systems for change to schools across the country, funding for programs to be implemented, and shared educational workshops. 

Donate to support the Make Our Schools Safe mission in making schools safe for everyone.

CLICK HERE TO DONATE

Contact Us

After careful investigation of the Parkland, FL shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, insufficient emergency response time was found to be a major contributing factor in the loss of life that day.  With ASR alert systems, response time can be SIGNIFICANTLY shorter, more rapid, and wholly more efficient.  ASR is currently offering special deals in compliance with Alyssa's Law.

If you are interested in obtaining more information for your school or to schedule a demonstration of this life-saving technology, please fill out the following information.  An informed professional will reach out to you as quickly as possible to help you.  

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