BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center

S.B. 838

88R3134 JTZ-D

By: Creighton

 

Education

 

3/13/2023

 

As Filed

 

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Why is this bill called Alyssa's Law?

Alyssa Alhadeff was a 14-year-old student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. She was a victim on February 14, 2018, when a former student killed 17 people in a mass school shooting. Alyssa's mother, Lori Alhadeff founded a nonprofit organization, Make Our Schools Safe, which is aimed at providing safety features tailored to the specific needs of schools.

 

Emergency Funding Already Exists

On June 28, 2022, Governor Greg Abbott, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dade Phelan, Senate Finance Committee Chair Joan Huffman, and House Appropriations Chair Dr. Greg Bonnen announced the transfer of $105.5 million to support additional school safety and mental health initiatives through August 31, 2023. $100.5 million will be transferred to state agencies and programs to enhance school safety and mental health services in Uvalde and throughout Texas. The funding will provide�

 

Summary

 

Why Panic Buttons?

Panic alert systems are a cost effective and highly effective way to provide interoperability with first responders in an emergency. The technology notifies law enforcement immediately while also sending necessary details to best respond to a threat. Location details are immediately provided to ensure that triage and treatment of those needing medical attention can be done urgently.

 

If Funding is Already Available, Why Pass This Bill?

After the Santa Fe High School shooting, the legislature placed $100 million into "School Safety and Security Grants." Upon review, following the Uvalde tragedy, it became clear that there was an excess balance remaining in the School Safety and Security Grant fund, even though these funds had been available for two years. School districts have a lot to prioritize, and proactively prioritizing grants can be a struggle. A statutory mandate will ensure adoption of panic buttons.

 

As proposed, S.B. 838 amends current law relating to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools providing panic alert devices in classrooms.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

 

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1. Authorizes this Act to be cited as Alyssa's Law.

 

SECTION 2. Amends Subchapter D, Chapter 37, Education Code, by adding Section 37.117, as follows:

 

Sec. 37.117. PANIC ALERT DEVICE. (a) Requires each school district and open-enrollment charter school to provide each classroom in the district or school with a panic alert device that allows for immediate contact with district or school emergency services or emergency services agencies, law enforcement agencies, health departments, and fire departments.

 

(b) Provides that a panic alert device provided by a school district or open-enrollment charter school under this section does not satisfy the requirement under Section 37.108(a)(2) (relating to requiring that the multihazard emergency operations plan provide for measures to ensure certain employees have access to an electronic communication device allowing for immediate contact with certain services and agencies) for the district or school to ensure employees have classroom access to a telephone or another electronic communication device.

 

(c) Authorizes a school district or open-enrollment charter school, to comply with this section, to:

 

(1) use funds provided to the district or school through the school safety allotment under Section 48.115 (School Safety Allotment) or other available funds; and

 

(2) use the district's or school's customary procurement process.

 

SECTION 3. Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2025�2026 school year.

 

SECTION 4. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2023.