ALYSSA Act

Bill Number

H.R. 1524

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Education

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-02-24: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-04-07T08:05:27Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Alyssa's Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act (ALYSSA Act) aims to improve school safety by mandating the installation of silent alarm systems, known as "panic alarms," in elementary and secondary schools. These alarms allow quick, discreet notification to law enforcement during emergencies like active shooter situations or lockdowns, without alerting potential threats.

Key Provisions

• Requirement for Local Educational Agency (LEA) Plans: Amends Section 1112(c) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) to include a new provision in LEA comprehensive support and improvement plans. This requires LEAs to ensure that each school they serve is prepared for security emergencies, specifically through the use of panic alarms.
• Condition for Federal Funding: Adds a new Section 8549D to the ESEA, making the receipt of federal funds under the Act contingent on LEAs equipping every elementary and secondary school with at least one panic alarm.
• Definition of Panic Alarm: Defines a "panic alarm" as a silent security signal activated manually (e.g., by pressing a button) to alert law enforcement to life-threatening situations, such as non-fire evacuations, lockdowns, or active shooter incidents. It is a discreet system that does not make noise at the school to avoid escalating dangers.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Introduces a new mandatory safety measure into the ESEA, which previously focused on academic support plans but did not explicitly require physical security devices like panic alarms.
• Ties school safety enhancements directly to federal funding eligibility, creating an enforcement mechanism not present before.
• Expands the scope of school emergency preparedness to include specific tools for rapid law enforcement response, building on existing requirements for general safety planning.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools will need to budget for installing and maintaining panic alarms, potentially increasing costs but supported by federal funds under the ESEA. State education departments may oversee compliance.
• On Citizens: Students, teachers, and school staff could benefit from faster emergency responses, potentially reducing risks during crises. Parents may gain peace of mind from enhanced school security measures.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. school safety.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Local Educational Agencies (LEAs): Responsible for implementation, installation, and compliance to maintain federal funding.
• Schools and School Districts: Elementary and secondary schools must install and train staff on panic alarms.
• Students and School Personnel: Primary beneficiaries through improved emergency response capabilities.
• Parents and Guardians: Indirectly affected via safer school environments for their children.
• Law Enforcement Agencies: Will receive silent alerts, enabling quicker interventions in school emergencies.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal Implications: Strengthens federal oversight of school safety by linking funding to specific security requirements, which could lead to audits or penalties for non-compliance. The bill avoids mandating costs without tying them to existing federal grants, reducing potential legal challenges over unfunded mandates.
• Constitutional Implications: No apparent conflicts with constitutional rights, as it focuses on voluntary funding conditions and public safety enhancements rather than restricting individual freedoms.
• Political Implications: Addresses growing public concerns about school violence, potentially influencing bipartisan support for education funding. It honors a specific legacy (Alyssa's), which may highlight personal stories in legislative debates, but the neutral focus remains on practical safety improvements without broader policy shifts.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5]

Cosponsors (22)

Rep. Moskowitz, Jared [D-FL-23], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Gonzales, Tony [R-TX-23], Rep. Johnson, Henry C. "Hank" [D-GA-4], Rep. Garcia, Sylvia R. [D-TX-29], Rep. Costa, Jim [D-CA-21], Rep. Diaz-Balart, Mario [R-FL-26], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Fallon, Pat [R-TX-4], Rep. Keating, William R. [D-MA-9], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. Mace, Nancy [R-SC-1], Rep. Salazar, Maria Elvira [R-FL-27], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Kean, Thomas H. [R-NJ-7], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Stanton, Greg [D-AZ-4], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]

Recent Actions

• 2025-02-24: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-02-24: Introduced in House
• 2025-02-24: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Alyssa’s Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act — issued 2025-02-24 — PDF (3 pages)