Committee hears Alyssa’s Law bill to require emergency alert systems in schools

The House Education Committee held a public hearing on Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill 5004, a measure that would require school districts, charter schools and state tribal education compact schools (STECs) to develop emergency response systems that can expedite law enforcement response when there is a threat or emergency at a school.

Damian Morton Snipper of the Office of Program Research summarized the bill’s core requirements, saying systems must be developed in collaboration with local law enforcement, public safety answering points, and school safety staff. The bill lists several components school systems may implement, such as panic or alert buttons that notify school administration and emergency responders, live video or audio feeds accessible to law…