West Montgomery Times

Pennsylvania State Senators Art Haywood (D-4) and Tracy Pennycuick (R-24) have announced their intention to introduce Alyssa’s Law, a legislation aimed at improving law enforcement response time during life-threatening emergencies in schools. The proposed bill mandates the installation of silent panic alarms in all public schools that would directly alert law enforcement in the event of a school-based emergency.

Named after Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting in Parkland, Florida, Alyssa’s Law is the result of relentless advocacy by Alyssa's family and their organization, Make Our Schools Safe. The law has already been enacted in five states and is under consideration in several others.

Senators Haywood and Pennycuick are optimistic that this legislation will be promptly passed by the General Assembly, thereby enhancing emergency response protocols within schools across the Commonwealth and ensuring student safety during life-threatening situations.

“This legislation is a critical step toward ensuring the safety of the Commonwealth’s students,” Senator Haywood said. “Installing panic buttons in schools allows for direct connection to local law enforcement, which enables police to respond faster during emergencies. I am hopeful that Pennsylvania will soon join the growing list of states that have enacted this common-sense and lifesaving measure.”

Senator Pennycuick echoed these sentiments: “When a dangerous incident occurs on school grounds, the most rapid response possible can save lives. We owe it to our children and teachers to use every method available to give them the best chance to get through these emergencies unharmed.”

Lori Alhadeff, co-founder of MOSS and mother of Alyssa Alhadeff, expressed her support for the legislation: “Today, we are one step closer to America’s students being more likely to come home at the end of the day. Pennsylvania is proving itself to be a leader in school safety through this legislation. Had my daughter’s school had panic alarms in the classroom, Alyssa might still be here today."

Jaidyn Turner, Alyssa Alhadeff’s cousin, added, “If in passing Alyssa’s Law we are able to save one life it will have been worth it, because students deserve to go to school every day and know they are safe no matter what situations arise.”