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CS/CS/SB 70 — Alert Systems in Public Schools

by Appropriations Committee; Infrastructure and Security Committee; and Senators Book, Berman, Stewart, and Torres

This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.

Prepared by: Infrastructure and Security Committee (IS)

The bill creates “Alyssa’s Law” and modifies school safety statute to require each public school, including charter schools, beginning with the 2021-2022 school year, to implement a mobile panic alert system, known as “Alyssa’s Alert.” The system must be capable of connecting diverse emergency services technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies.

A public school district may implement additional strategies or systems to any implemented mobile panic alert system to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies in a school security emergency.

For the 2020-2021 fiscal year and subject to legislative appropriation, the Department of Education, in consultation with the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Division of Emergency Management is required to develop a competitive solicitation to contract for a mobile panic alert system that may be used by each school district.

If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2020.

Vote: Senate 40-0; House 119-0