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Bill > HB1549

MS HB1549

MS HB1549
"Alyssa's Law"; enact to authorize the implementation and installation of silent panic alarm systems in public and charter schools.

summary

Introduced
01/19/2026
In Committee
01/19/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
02/03/2026

Introduced Session

2026 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An Act To Create "alyssa's Law," To Require School Districts To Implement Silent Panic Alarm Systems For The Purpose Of Ensuring The Safety Of Students And Staff In Public Schools And Charter Schools; To Define Terminology; To Require Each Local School District And Charter School To Implement And Install A Silent Panic Alarm System In All Eligible Schools Under Their Respective Jurisdiction Beginning With The 2025-2026 School Year; To Specify The Minimum Capability And Functionality Requirements Of The Silent Panic Alarm Systems; To Require Public Schools And Charter Schools To Provide Each Member Of Its Personnel With A Wearable Panic Alert Device Throughout Each School Facility, Which Allows For Immediate Contact With Local Law Enforcement And Emergency Response Agencies; To Provide Guidelines For Coordination Between School Districts And Local Law Enforcement Agencies; To Provide Regular Training To School Personnel And Law Enforcement On The Protocol And Appropriate Use Of The Panic Alarm System Before The Start Of Each School Year; To Ensure Access To Security Data To Local Law Enforcement And Emergency Response Agencies; To Provide For The Protection Of Such Data And Exempt The Disclosure Thereof From The Public Records Act, Except In Certain Instances; To Require Each School District And Charter School To Submit An Annual Report To The State Department Of Education Detailing Compliance With This Act And Any Incidents Requiring The Use Of The Panic Alarm System; To Require The State Board Of Education To Adopt Rules And Regulations For The Implementation Of This Act To Establish A Grant Program Administered By The State Department Of Education To Assist School Districts In Compliance; To Prescribe Criteria For Eligibility Of Receipt Of Grant Funds And The Purposes For Which Such Funds May Be Used; To Require The Legislature To Annually Appropriate Funds For The Administration Of This Grant Program By The Department, Which Shall Allocate Funds To School Districts; To Provide For The Severability Of The Provision Of This Act; And For Related Purposes.

AI Summary

This bill, known as "Alyssa's Law," mandates that all public and charter schools in Mississippi implement silent panic alarm systems by the 2025-2026 school year to enhance student and staff safety. A "silent panic alarm system" is defined as a technology that discreetly alerts local law enforcement during emergencies, capable of direct notification and integration with E-911 services. Schools must provide wearable panic alert devices to all personnel for immediate contact with emergency responders and campus-wide lockdown capabilities. The law also requires schools to establish agreements with local law enforcement for coordinated response, provide annual training on system use, and ensure law enforcement has access to security data, which will be kept confidential except under specific circumstances, exempting it from public records requests. Furthermore, schools must submit annual reports on compliance and system usage to the State Department of Education, which will administer a grant program to help schools fund these systems and related training, with the Legislature annually appropriating funds for this program. The State Board of Education will establish rules and regulations for implementation, including technical standards for the alarm systems and minimum training requirements.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (4)

Last Action

Died In Committee (on 02/03/2026)

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