An Act amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 1949, in school safety and security, providing for panic alerts.
HB 653, known as Alyssa's Law, requires all Pennsylvania public school buildings (including elementary, middle, and high school campuses) to install silent panic alert systems. These systems must be manually activated via devices like buttons or apps and immediately send emergency alerts directly to designated local law enforcement responders during security threats like active shooters or lockdowns. The law defines "panic alerts" as silent notifications for life-threatening emergencies and specifies that the alert must link to first responders on the school's campus. This mandate applies to all buildings used for instruction during school hours, replacing vague prior security language with a concrete equipment requirement.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 20, 2025
Last action Feb 20, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
1
Key actions
0
Committee
1
Feb 20, 2025
Committee
Referred to Communications & Technology
lower
1 primary · 4 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Marla Brown
RRepublican
Co
Bud Cook
RRepublican
Co
Lee James
RRepublican
Co
Liz Hanbidge
DDemocratic
Co
Nikki Rivera
DDemocratic
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