State Sen. Nikki Torres today praised the signing of Senate Bill 5004, her legislation to improve emergency response systems in K-12 schools across Washington.
Gov. Bob Ferguson signed the bill into law Monday, capping a bipartisan effort to boost school safety and better prepare schools for crisis situations.
Known as “Alyssa’s Law,” the measure will require school districts to implement advanced emergency systems, including silent panic alarms, real-time communication tools, and live-feed video access for law enforcement, designed to reduce response times and improve coordination during emergencies.
“This law gives students and staff a critical lifeline when every second counts,” said Torres, R-Pasco. “It ensures law enforcement can respond faster and more effectively when lives are on the line.”
The bill is named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who was killed during the 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Alyssa’s mother, Lori Alhadeff, a national advocate for school safety, traveled to Olympia earlier this session to testify in support of the bill and joined Sen. Torres for the bill signing.
“With the passage of Alyssa’s Law in Washington, we are turning pain into purpose,” said Alhadeff. “Every second matters in an emergency—and now, every school in this state will be better prepared to save lives. Alyssa’s legacy continues to protect students across the country.”
Senate Bill 5004 passed the Legislature unanimously, with a 49-0 vote in the Senate and a 98-0 vote in the House.
Under the new law, school districts must collaborate with local law enforcement agencies to develop and implement the required systems. Districts must report their implementation progress to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction by Oct. 1, with a statewide report due to the Legislature by Dec. 1.
Torres also introduced a companion bill, Senate Bill 5003, which would create a grant program to help schools pay for physical security improvements such as hardware, infrastructure, and technology. She successfully garnered $6 million for school security grants in the state’s final capital budget.
“This legislation is about protecting students and giving families peace of mind,” Torres said. “School should be a place where kids can focus on learning, not worry about their safety.”