Alyssa’s Law heads to DeSantis

Legislation would require panic alarms in Florida schools

TALLAHASSEE – A bill named after a 14-year-old girl killed in the Parkland massacre that will require panic alarms in the state’s schools is heading to the governor’s desk.

The Florida Senate gave final approval Tuesday night to Alyssa’s Law as her mother Lori Alhadeff watched from the gallery.

Alhadeff said she made eight trips to Tallahassee to advocate for the legislation, which was sponsored by Sen. Lauren Book, DPlantation, and Reps. Michael Gottlieb, D-Davie, and Dan Daley, D-Coral Springs.

“They were champions in seeing Alyssa’s Law get over the finish line,” said Alhadeff, who is a Broward County School Board member. “Together, we are all working to make our schools safer.”

Alyssa Alhadeff, a student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas, was one of 17 people killed in the Feb. 14, 2018, school shooting.

Lori Alhadeff said she expects Gov. Ron DeSantis will sign the legislation into law, and the system will be in place by the next school year.

It allocates $8 million for the state to provide a statewide mobile alert system for schools. Such a system would allow school staff members to send an alert to law enforcement and paramedics with the press of a button on their cellphone.

The statewide system is optional, and the legislation allows districts to implement their own systems as long as they meet the state’s minimum standards. Thir

teen counties in Florida already are using panic alarms in schools. Gottlieb said the bipartisan legislation will get law enforcement to an emergency faster.

“It is a testament to Lori Alhadeff and her efforts,” he said.

BOBBY CAINA CALVAN/AP Laurie Giordano, left, and Lori Alhadeff speak Thursday at the Capitol in Tallahassee.