Alyssa’s Law Passes in Washington: What Schools Need to Know and How to Prepare
In a significant move to enhance school safety, Washington State has unanimously passed Alyssa’s Law with a 98-0 vote. The legislation now awaits Governor Ferguson’s signature to be enacted into law.
Alyssa Alhadeff and the Origin of Alyssa’s Law
On February 14, 2018, a tragedy at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida claimed 17 lives. One of the victims was 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff. In the aftermath, Alyssa’s mother, Lori Alhadeff, became a prominent school safety advocate. She founded the nonprofit Make Our Schools Safe and began championing “Alyssa’s Law” – a proposal to require silent panic alarms in schools so police can respond faster to life-threatening emergencies.
“The principle of Alyssa’s Law is simple: time equals life,” Alhadeff often explains. The idea is that in a crisis like a school shooting, every second counts in getting help on scene quickly.
Alyssa’s Law was first adopted in New Jersey in 2019, then in Alyssa’s home state of Florida in 2020, and has since spread to several other states. By 2025, Washington State became the eighth state to pass a version of Alyssa’s Law, reinforcing a growing national movement for real-time emergency alert technology in schools.
What Washington’s Alyssa’s Law Requires
Washington’s version of Alyssa’s Law — Senate Bill 5004 — requires all public K-12 schools to implement enhanced emergency response systems that allow school personnel to quickly and discreetly notify law enforcement during emergencies. Schools must adopt at least one of the following technologies:
- Silent panic or alert buttons
- Live audio/video feeds to law enforcement
- Remote door locks
- Two-way communication systems with first responders
The law ensures that alerts go directly to law enforcement, bypassing delays that can occur when going through traditional 911 systems. It passed both chambers of the legislature unanimously.
“Updating emergency response systems is a critical step toward faster, more effective communication in crisis situations,” said Sen. Nikki Torres (R-Pasco), the bill’s lead sponsor.
What’s Next for Washington Schools
With the bill expected to be signed into law, Washington school districts will now begin:
- Assessing current safety systems
- Collaborating with local law enforcement
- Selecting technology providers to implement the required alert systems
- Training staff on how to use the new systems
- Reporting to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) by October 1, 2025
While the bill does not include specific funding, related legislation is in the works to provide grant money for safety technology upgrades.
How SaferWatch Can Help Washington Schools Comply with Alyssa’s Law
As school districts begin planning how to meet the new safety requirements outlined in Alyssa’s Law, SaferWatch offers a full suite of emergency alert solutions designed specifically for schools — and built to save lives.
Here’s how SaferWatch aligns with Washington’s new mandate:
☑️ Mobile & Desktop Panic Buttons
Authorized school staff can use the SaferWatch app to instantly trigger a panic alert from their mobile device or desktop computer. These alerts are sent directly to 911 and local law enforcement, ensuring rapid, real-time response.
☑️ Physical Panic Buttons – Including LTE Connectivity
SaferWatch also offers physical panic buttons — wall-mounted or portable — that are ideal for classrooms, front offices, and common areas. Our LTE Panic Buttons operate on a dedicated cellular connection, so they don’t rely on school Wi-Fi or local networks, making them especially valuable during power outages or when internet service is disrupted. These panic buttons immediately notify emergency responders and school security teams with just one press.
☑️ Two-Way Communication with First Responders
SaferWatch enables live two-way communication between school personnel and emergency responders during an incident, improving coordination and response times.
☑️ Real-Time Video & Location Sharing
Our platform can integrate with existing school security cameras and automatically share live video and precise location data with responding agencies when an alert is triggered.
☑️ Staff Assist & Anonymous Tip Reporting
In addition to emergency alerts, SaferWatch supports routine safety assistance and anonymous tip and threat reporting, empowering students and staff to report concerns before they escalate into crises.
☑️ Flexible, Scalable Solutions
Whether your district needs mobile alerts, physical panic buttons, or all of the above, SaferWatch can customize a solution that meets the unique needs of your schools — and the specific provisions of Washington’s Alyssa’s Law.
A Safer Future for Washington’s Schools
Washington’s adoption of Alyssa’s Law is more than just legislation — it’s a statement that student and staff safety is a top priority. With the right technology and training, schools across the state will be better equipped to respond to emergencies quickly and effectively.
If you’re a school leader or district safety coordinator looking to comply with Alyssa’s Law, SaferWatch is here to help. From consultation to implementation and ongoing support, we’re ready to partner with you in building safer learning environments.
Contact us today to learn more about how SaferWatch can help your school district meet the requirements of Alyssa’s Law and protect your community.
