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Alyssa's Law: committee hears sponsor on mandated wearable panic-alerts, $25M appropriation proposed
Summary
Senator Reynolds told the committee SB 313 would require wearable panic-alert devices for all public and charter schools in 2025'26, mandate sharing of security data with local law enforcement and include a $25 million FY2026 appropriation to assist implementation; sponsor described it as a funded mandate and said participation would be required.
Senator Reynolds presented sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 313, commonly called Alyssa's Law, which would require all public and charter schools in the state to implement a wearable panic-alert system in the 2025'26 school year. The bill, as described by the sponsor, would equip staff with silent wearable devices capable of sending immediate alerts to local emergency services and initiating campus lockdowns when necessary.
The sponsor said the bill also requires that security data such as camera feeds, building maps and access controls be accessible to local law enforcement to improve response. He described the proposal as "not an unfunded mandate" and added, "It's a funded mandate," referencing a $25,000,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026 the bill includes to assist schools with implementation.
Committee members asked whether the measure would be mandatory for schools and how it would be funded. The sponsor replied the requirement would be mandatory and reiterated that funding would be provided through the appropriation or existing school-safety mechanisms as appropriate. No vote on passage occurred in committee during this hearing.
