OLYMPIA, WA – Washington State Sen. Nikki Torres’ legislation to improve school safety, Senate Bill 5004, also known as Alyssa’s Law, had a public hearing in the House of Representatives on Wednesday. The bipartisan measure directs Washington schools to implement emergency response systems from a menu of options, such as silent panic alarms, ensuring more immediate law enforcement response during emergencies.
Lori Alhadeff attended the hearing, she is a national school safety advocate and the founder of Make Our Schools Safe. Alhadeff’s daughter, Alyssa, was one of 17 victims of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018.
“Every second matters in an emergency. Silent alarms give students and teachers a direct lifeline to law enforcement, ensuring help arrives as quickly as possible,” said Sen. Torres (R-Pasco). “But safety measures like these don’t happen without proper funding. That’s why I’m also fighting for SB 5003, which provides essential resources for school security improvements, including silent panic alarms.”
Alhadeff, who has successfully championed Alyssa’s Law in multiple states, emphasized the urgent need to speed up emergency response in schools.
“The principle of Alyssa’s Law is simple: Time equals life,” said Alhadeff. “This law ensures that schools have wearable panic technology directly linked to law enforcement, so that first responders can act immediately in a life-threatening emergency. We must do everything possible to get our kids and teachers to safety faster.”
SB 5004 previously passed the Senate with strong bipartisan support. If approved by the House and Governor, Washington would join other states in implementing Alyssa’s Law to improve school emergency response.