By Chris Skinner, Security Technology Director
Earlier this month, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker signed HB 5107, adding Alyssa’s Law to the list of security requirements Illinois schools have to meet to keep their students safe.
Alyssa’s Law is named for Alyssa Alhadeff who at 14, was tragically killed along with 16 others during the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Shooting in Parkland, Fla.
The model legislation, passed in 12 other states, requires the installation of silent panic alarms directly linked to law enforcement to reduce response times in an emergency.
In Illinois, Alyssa’s Law will take effect on Jan. 1, 2027, and by no later than the beginning of the 2028-29 school year, all schools in the state will be required to implement some form of a “mobile panic alert system,” according to the legislation.
The law also stipulates the systems schools implement must be able to integrate with “diverse emergency service technologies” including 911 dispatch, local law enforcement and public safety answering points.
The Illinois State Police have been tasked with developing the official regulations for these systems and will release their rules for a mobile panic alert system by March 1, 2027.
Panic buttons can be wearable, wall-mounted and discreetly mounted under teacher’s desks. The right implementation of this technology will also integrate with other school systems like security and intercom infrastructure.
The legislation does note that whatever system a school decides to implement, it should easily integrate with systems that can provide instant alerts to first responders and other school personnel.
Another section of the legislation also states the Illinois State Police can take the reliability and capability of existing internet and cellular networks into consideration when developing their regulations.
“The rules may take into consideration the following: the reliability of the connection technology used, including the capability of transmission across both Internet and cellular networks, and how that technology impacts the response time for first responders and other school personnel,” Alyssa’s Law Section B Subsection 2.
Administrators won’t know for sure what systems they will need to be in compliance with the new law, but this subsection could easily be interpreted to require Public Safety DAS installations to shore up connections on school property.
Distributed Antenna Systems use donor antennas on the roof of a building and bi-directional amplifiers within a building to amplify cell or radio signal. In many jurisdictions, AHJs can require these systems to meet fire codes.
Illinois’ law would also require annual inspections of any system installed to meet its requirements.
Illinois is not the only state where this legislation has been passed or is being considered. Illinois is the 13th state to pass some version of the law and there are 14 more with bills in progress to enact similar regulations.
There is also federal legislation that, if passed, would require these systems nationwide.
This legislation also varies from state to state, and schools may need help parsing through their specific regulations to understand what is required.
Tech Electronics has the experience and knowledge to help schools implement safe, compliant and effective security and communications systems. For more information on what may be required at your school, and how you can meet newly implemented requirements, schedule a consultation.
