Lexington lawmaker to file bill allowing panic alarms in Kentucky schools
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.”
Aull said schools in other states, as well as Kentucky’s Meade County, already use wearable technology to quickly notify law enforcement and school administrators.
“Alyssa’s Law just makes sense, and I want to make sure more districts here in Kentucky have access to that lifesaving equipment and the money they need to afford it,” Aull said. “As the father of two school-aged children, I would feel better knowing their schools have a notification system up and running, and as a legislator, I’m going to do all I can to make it a reality statewide.”
WDRB reported earlier this year that Meade County teachers and staff wear a nondescript badge that has a button and their district ID.
“We just empowered 600 teammates to respond to everyday situations and worse case scenarios,” Meade County Schools Superintendent Mark Martin told WDRB.
WDRB reported three clicks of the button initiates a staff alert. This signals an urgent situation that requires help, such as a medical emergency, fight, or an injury. This type of alert would send a notification to necessary personnel such as administrators, school resource officers or a nurse.
Eight or more clicks initiates a campus-wide emergency lockdown and is used in events such as an active shooter.
This story was originally published October 19, 2024 at 12:46 PM.