S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K
________________________________________________________________________
6878
2021-2022 Regular Sessions
I N A S S E M B L Y
April 13, 2021
___________
Introduced by M. of A. ZEBROWSKI, CRUZ, DICKENS, BRAUNSTEIN, SAYEGH,
J. RIVERA, JEAN-PIERRE, SIMON, COOK, FRONTUS, FALL, FERNANDEZ, DeSTE-
FANO, REILLY, McDONOUGH -- Multi-Sponsored by -- M. of A. MIKULIN,
M. MILLER, WALSH -- read once and referred to the Committee on Educa-
tion
AN ACT to amend the education law, in relation to requiring panic alarm
systems in schools
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as "Alyssa's Law".
§ 2. The education law is amended by adding a new section 409-n to
read as follows:
§ 409-N. INSTALLATION OF PANIC ALARM SYSTEMS IN SCHOOLS. 1. AS USED IN
THIS SECTION, "PANIC ALARM SYSTEM" MEANS A SILENT SECURITY SYSTEM SIGNAL
GENERATED BY THE MANUAL ACTIVATION OF A DEVICE INTENDED TO SIGNAL A
LIFE-THREATENING OR EMERGENCY SITUATION REQUIRING A RESPONSE FROM LAW
ENFORCEMENT. SUCH SILENT SECURITY SYSTEM MAY INCLUDE ONE OR MORE OF THE
FOLLOWING: WIRED PANIC BUTTON OR BUTTONS, WIRELESS PANIC BUTTON OR
BUTTONS OR A MOBILE OR COMPUTER APPLICATION.
2. EACH PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOL BUILDING SHALL BE
EQUIPPED WITH A PANIC ALARM SYSTEM FOR USE IN A SCHOOL SECURITY EMERGEN-
CY INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, A NON-FIRE EVACUATION, LOCKDOWN, OR
ACTIVE SHOOTER SITUATION. THE ALARM SHALL BE DIRECTLY LINKED TO LOCAL
LAW ENFORCEMENT AUTHORITIES OR, IN THE CASE OF A SCHOOL BUILDING LOCATED
IN A MUNICIPALITY IN WHICH THERE IS NO MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENT, A
LOCATION DESIGNATED BY THE SUPERINTENDENT OF STATE POLICE, AND SHALL
IMMEDIATELY TRANSMIT A SIGNAL OR MESSAGE TO SUCH AUTHORITIES UPON ACTI-
VATION. THE ALARM SHALL NOT BE AUDIBLE WITHIN THE SCHOOL BUILDING.
3. NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO REQUIRE A SCHOOL
DISTRICT TO ALTER OR INSTALL ANY COMPONENTS OF A PANIC ALARM SYSTEM IF
EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD08287-03-1
A. 6878 2
SUCH SCHOOL DISTRICT HAS A PANIC ALARM SYSTEM ACTIVATED THAT COMPLIES
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THIS SECTION.
4. ANY FUNDS EXPENDED FOR THE PURCHASE OR INSTALLATION OF A PANIC
ALARM SYSTEM AS REQUIRED BY THIS SECTION SHALL BE ELIGIBLE FOR BUILDING
AID REIMBURSEMENT PURSUANT TO SUBDIVISION SIX-C OF SECTION THREE THOU-
SAND SIX HUNDRED TWO OF THIS CHAPTER.
§ 3. This act shall take effect immediately; provided, however that
within one year of the effective date of this act, all school districts
shall be in compliance with the provisions of this act. Effective imme-
diately, the addition, amendment and/or repeal of any rule or regulation
necessary for the implementation of this act on its effective date are
authorized to be made and completed on or before such effective date.