An increasing number of states are adopting Alyssa’s Law (or similar versions of it) to reduce response times and optimize coordination between schools and first responders. The law, named after a 14-year-old student who was killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in 2018, requires public schools to install silent panic alert systems that directly notify law enforcement during an emergency, so help can arrive as quickly as possible in an emergency.
To meet the intent of the law, emergency alert systems must be:
- Silent and discreetly activated by staff
- Connected to first responders or 911 dispatch
- Reliable and accessible from anywhere on campus
To give schools flexibility in meeting these requirements, Boxlight has integrated with five widely used emergency solution providers. These integrations make it easier for schools to initiate alerts discreetly and deliver messages campus-wide through connected systems already in place.
What States are Implementing Alyssa’s Law?
Alyssa’s Law has been fully passed or implemented in the following states:
- New Jersey (February 2019)
- Florida (June 2020)
- New York (June 2022)
- Texas (May 2023)
- Tennessee (May 2023)
- Utah (May 2024)
- Oklahoma (June 2024)
- Georgia (April 2025)
- Washington (April 2025)
Each state may have its own definition of what qualifies as a compliant panic alert system, but the core requirements are consistent: quick, silent initiation and direct connection to emergency responders.
Several other states have introduced or are considering similar legislation, including Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Connecticut, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Some have bills in committee stages and others await further legislative action.
At the federal level, the Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert (ALYSSA) Act has been introduced to require silent panic alarms in public schools nationwide. This legislation is currently under consideration. We will update whenever developments occur.
In many cases, federal or state grant funding is made available to help schools comply, especially through safety-focused programs like COPS SVPP. If you’d like help with finding funding, reach out to Dr. Don Gemeinhardt through the Grants Assistance Program.
Integrated Solutions Give Schools Options
ATTENTION! is Boxlight’s platform for campus-wide communication and alerting. It connects key technologies, like FrontRow audio systems, Clevertouch displays, digital signage and network-connected devices, to broadcast messages clearly, quickly and consistently.
With the addition of new safety integrations, ATTENTION! now also supports alert initiation through a range of trusted third-party platforms. That means schools can trigger a silent panic alert using a wearable badge, app or QR code—and ATTENTION! will make sure the alert is communicated immediately through visible and audible channels like speakers, signage and screens.
This end-to-end process helps schools meet the activation and communication requirements of Alyssa’s Law without needing to replace existing infrastructure.
Five emergency platforms are now approved for use within the ATTENTION! ecosystem:
CENTEGIX
The CENTEGIX CrisisAlert Responder Application allows administrators to quickly manage and monitor an emergency event as it’s unfolding, providing alert notification and activation functionality, along with full crisis management capability.
CrisisGo
CrisisGo’s software provides staff members with easy-to-use safety tools that assist them in confidently completing their tasks. Their platform empowers staff members to recognize, prepare, address, and review incidents at all levels and to gain knowledge and experience along their designated pathways.
Kokomo24/7
Kokomo24/7 gives schools a holistic emergency notification solution – plus, the flexibility to instantly send notifications during an emergency, templatize and automate different messages for different groups, and utilize two-way communication to ask if users are safe.
Raptor Technologies
Raptor Badge Alert empowers staff to discreetly and instantly activate alerts via a wearable badge. Now schools can maximize single-action alerting on an end-to-end emergency management platform.
RedBag
RedBag aids teachers in helping students in the classroom during safety incidents. Just scan the QR Code on the RedBag bag with a smartphone and a to do checklist and the methods for emergency communication instantly appear on your phone without the need for a downloaded application.
Each of these enables silent alert initiation. When used with ATTENTION!, those alerts are automatically routed to Conductor or CleverLive, which broadcast messages through speakers, signage and interactive displays across the school or district.
Supporting Compliance and Simplifying Safety
Meeting Alyssa’s Law requirements doesn’t have to involve patching together disconnected systems. By integrating robust campus communication solutions with trusted safety tools, schools gain a scalable, future-ready approach to improving campus safety, equipping them to seamlessly:
- Activate silent panic alerts through familiar, easy-to-use tools
- Deliver consistent visual and audio messaging in seconds
- Coordinate faster, more reliable emergency response
- Stay aligned with state mandates and preparedness goals
If your state has passed or is considering Alyssa’s Law, it’s time to review your emergency communication systems. Even if your state isn’t listed above, federal legislation could soon require silent alerts nationwide, so being prepared with a solution that easily fits your infrastructure just makes sense.
