Alyssa’s Law, explained: what panic-alarm laws mean for schools

Alyssa's Law is the common name for state laws that require or encourage schools to use silent panic alarms that quickly summon emergency responders. The laws are named for Alyssa Alhadeff, one of the students killed in the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

Where things stand

As of September 2026, 13 states have laws that mandate or allow these devices, and about a dozen more have legislation pending, according to Stateline. Illinois, Virginia and West Virginia were the most recent to act, in 2026.

The laws differ a lot. Some require a specific capability. Texas, for example, requires silent panic alert technology in classrooms, and Utah requires certain staff to wear mobile alert devices. Others, like Virginia's, allow schools to equip employees with wearable panic alarms without requiring it. Requirements for how alerts reach law enforcement, and how systems are funded, also vary by state.

What about Michigan?

Michigan lawmakers have introduced Alyssa's Law bills in recent sessions, including House Bill 4241 in 2023, and a Senate bill proposing mobile panic alert systems in 2024. Check the current status with your district's legal counsel or the Michigan Legislature before planning around a mandate.

How to prepare now

• Map your response path. Who receives an alert, and how does it reach 911 or your local police?
• Choose wearable over fixed. A button on the wall only helps the person standing next to it.
• Plan for everyday use. Most staff alerts in schools involve fights, medical needs and students leaving campus, not active threats. Systems should handle all of them.
• Look at funding. In Michigan, Section 31aa school safety funding may support safety technology. See our funding page.

Where Sentinel Plus fits

Sentinel Plus pairs a wearable panic button with gunshot detection and environmental monitoring in the same device, and supports integrations with mass notification and other third-party systems. Whether a given setup meets a specific state requirement, such as a direct connection to law enforcement, depends on how it's configured and integrated, so we review that with every district during planning.

Sources: Stateline, "More states are putting panic alarms in schools" (Sept. 2026); Michigan Legislature bill records. This article is general information, not legal advice.