The Washington State Senate approved legislation sponsored by Sen. Nikki Torres to enhance safety measures in K-12 schools by modernizing emergency response systems. Senate Bill 5004, takes a proactive approach to school security by encouraging the use of modern panic or alert button systems to improve response times during emergencies, ensuring better protection for students and staff.

“Schools must be equipped with the latest safety tools to protect students and teachers,” said Torres. “Updating emergency response systems is a critical step toward faster, more effective communication in crisis situations.”

The push for enhanced school safety measures has been championed by advocates nationwide, including the Alhadeff family, who tragically lost their 14-year-old daughter, Alyssa, in the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018. Torres’ proposal is known as Alyssa’s law.

The legislation requires school districts to work with local law enforcement to establish comprehensive emergency response plans incorporating advanced technology. Key provisions of SB 5004 include:

• Panic or Alert Buttons – Quick-access buttons available to administrators, staff, and first responders to expedite emergency notifications.
• Live Audio and Video Feeds – Systems providing real-time situational awareness to law enforcement and school personnel during emergencies.
• Remote Door Access Control – Technology allowing for remote locking and unlocking of school entrances to enhance security.
• Interactive Two-Way Communication – Live communication channels between schools and law enforcement to coordinate emergency response efforts.

To track progress, school districts must submit a report to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) by October 1, 2025, detailing their emergency response systems’ implementation. OSPI will then report to the legislature by December 1, 2025, on the status of emergency preparedness in schools statewide.

Sen. Torres has also introduced Senate Bill 5003, which would establish the School Security and Preparedness Infrastructure Grant Program. Administered by OSPI, this program would provide competitive grants of up to $2 million per biennium to public school districts for facility security improvements. Eligible projects include upgraded entrance and door security, perimeter fencing, and infrastructure enhancements to support law enforcement response. Priority will be given to schools with the greatest security needs.

“These bills demonstrate our commitment to proactive, preventative measures that will make schools safer,” Torres said. “Every student deserves to feel secure in their learning environment, and these investments in school safety infrastructure are a crucial step toward that goal.”