A proposal aimed at improving school safety in Kentucky has moved forward after receiving approval from a state House committee.
The measure, known as House Bill 643, would allow schools to introduce wearable silent panic alert systems for teachers and other staff members. The bill was recently approved by the Kentucky House Committee on Primary and Secondary Education, marking the second year in a row a similar proposal has advanced out of committee.
How the system would work
Under the legislation, school employees could wear a device that functions as a silent emergency alert system. If activated manually, the device would send an immediate signal to local 911 dispatchers and emergency responders, helping authorities respond quickly during emergencies.
The bill does not require schools to adopt the technology but gives districts the option to implement it.
Sponsor highlights school safety concerns
The legislation is sponsored by Kevin Jackson, a Republican lawmaker from Bowling Green, Kentucky. Jackson previously introduced similar legislation in 2025, which passed the Kentucky House of Representatives unanimously but was never taken up by the Senate before the session ended.
Jackson, a former school administrator, said providing schools with additional safety tools is critical.
Origin of Alyssa’s Law
The proposal is commonly referred to as Alyssa’s Law, named in memory of Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in Parkland, Florida.
The law encourages schools to install silent panic alarm systems that allow staff to quickly alert authorities during dangerous situations.
According to supporters, 11 states have already adopted Alyssa’s Law, starting with New Jersey in 2019, while 18 states — including Kentucky — are currently considering similar legislation.
Funding and implementation
If the bill becomes law, the Kentucky Center for School Safety could provide matching funds covering up to 50% of the cost for school districts that purchase and install the alert systems, depending on available funding.
Districts that already have similar systems in place would also be eligible for partial funding to cover ongoing maintenance expenses.
Currently, about 14 school districts across Kentucky, including those in Meade County, Kentucky, Logan County, Kentucky and Warren County, Kentucky, have already implemented or begun installing similar emergency alert technology.
Relationship with school resource officers
Jackson emphasized that the wearable alert system would not replace school resource officers, who are required by state law to be present in school buildings when funding allows.
According to the Kentucky Center for School Safety, 841 school resource officers currently work in schools across the state.
The bill will now move to the full Kentucky House of Representatives for further consideration.