A Lexington lawmaker said Friday he plans to file a bill calling for the installation of silent panic alarms linked to police in Kentucky schools.
State Rep. Chad Aull, D-Lexington, said in a news release he would file a bill, which other states have called “Alyssa’s Law,” when the 2025 General Assembly convenes in January.
Alyssa’s Law is model legislation that other states have used to help teachers more quickly notify law enforcement during dangerous situations, the news release said.
The law is named for New Jersey native Alyssa Alhadeff, who was among the 17 people killed in the Parkland, Florida, high school shooting in February 2018. New Jersey as well as Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah, and New York, and other states have passed similar laws.
“Our first priority, of course, is stopping potential safety issues from ever occurring, but when we have an armed intruder or a fight between students, seconds count,” Aull said. “Schools across the country are putting technology like this to use so teachers and their co-workers have the ability to make administrators and, if necessary, first responders immediately aware of a safety concern. My legislation would cost little, but the added peace of mind would be worth every penny.”