The Georgia State Senate has unanimously passed “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,” a bill requiring all schools across the state to implement a panic button alert system. The bill, named in honor of Coach Richard Aspinwall, tragically killed in a school shooting last year, and Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Parkland shooting, cleared the Senate just ahead of a crucial deadline.

Senator Jason Anavitarte, the bill’s sponsor, expressed optimism that the Senate’s overwhelming support would encourage swift passage in the House. He highlighted the effectiveness of panic button systems, referencing their successful use during an incident at Apalachee High School last year, which was lauded by local law enforcement. The legislation has garnered strong support from the Aspinwall family, who have actively collaborated with Senator Anavitarte in advocating for its passage. While the bill mandates panic button systems statewide, some districts, such as Atlanta Public Schools, have already successfully implemented crisis alert systems for various emergencies.

In addition to the panic button requirement, the legislation also mandates that school districts provide digital building layouts to assist law enforcement during emergency situations. However, concerns have been raised regarding the readiness of all of Georgia’s 911 centers to handle the new technology. Aleisha Rucker-Wright, director of the Georgia Emergency Communications Authority, cautioned that some centers may struggle with the necessary changes and potentially face budget cuts in order to comply. She stressed the importance of avoiding unfunded mandates that could strain already limited resources.

Senator Anavitarte addressed these concerns, pointing to the state budget allocations of $68,000 per school for safety grants as a potential funding source to assist districts in implementing the required systems. “There’s really no excuse to not be able to find a way to get this done,” he stated, underscoring the urgency and importance of enhancing school safety measures across the state.

The bill now moves to the House for consideration.