MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE 2025 Regular Session To: Education; Appropriations By: Senator(s) Robinson Senate Bill 2534 AN ACT TITLED "ALYSSA'S LAW"; TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT, BEGINNING WITH THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR, TO IMPLEMENT A PANIC ALERT SYSTEM MAKING USE OF WEARABLE PANIC ALERT DEVICES, PROVIDED TO EACH STAFF MEMBER, ALLOWING FOR IMMEDIATE CONTACT WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES; TO REQUIRE THAT THE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM BE CAPABLE OF INITIATING A CAMPUS-WIDE LOCKDOWN NOTIFICATION; TO REQUIRE THAT ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL RECEIVE TRAINING ON THE PROTOCOL AND APPROPRIATE USE OF THE PANIC ALERT DEVICE; TO DECLARE CERTAIN SCHOOL AND AGENCY SAFETY AND SECURITY RECORDS AND INFORMATION TO BE CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT OF 1983; TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS ALLOWING FOR DISCLOSURE OF SUCH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT RULES TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT AS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI: SECTION 1. (1) This section shall be known and may be cited as "Alyssa's Law." (2) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district shall implement at each school facility a panic alert system making use of wearable panic alert devices, provided to each staff member, allowing for immediate contact with local emergency response agencies by integrating with local public safety answering point infrastructure to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations. Such panic alert system must be capable of initiating a campus-wide lockdown notification. (3) A school district shall ensure, before the 2025-2026 school year begins, that all school personnel receive training on the protocol and appropriate use of the panic alert device described in subsection (2) of this section. (4) A school district shall: (a) Ensure that all security data (cameras, maps and access control) within a school building are accessible by a local law enforcement agency; and (b) Coordinate with its local law enforcement agency to establish appropriate access protocols. (5) Any records, information, photographs, audio and visual presentations, schematic diagrams, surveys, recommendations or consultations, or portions thereof, relating directly to the physical security or fire safety of the school facility or revealing security or fire safety systems held by an agency are confidential and exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983. (6) Information made confidential and exempt by this section may be disclosed: (a) To the property owner or leaseholder; (b) In furtherance of the official duties and responsibilities of the agency holding the information; (c) To another local, state or federal agency in furtherance of that agency's official duties and responsibilities; or (d) Upon a showing of good cause before a court of competent jurisdiction. (7) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this section as necessary to protect the health and safety of students and educators. SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2025 Regular Session
To: Education; Appropriations
By: Senator(s) Robinson
# Senate Bill 2534
AN ACT TITLED "ALYSSA'S LAW"; TO REQUIRE EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT, BEGINNING WITH THE 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR, TO IMPLEMENT A PANIC ALERT SYSTEM MAKING USE OF WEARABLE PANIC ALERT DEVICES, PROVIDED TO EACH STAFF MEMBER, ALLOWING FOR IMMEDIATE CONTACT WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY RESPONSE AGENCIES; TO REQUIRE THAT THE PANIC ALERT SYSTEM BE CAPABLE OF INITIATING A CAMPUS-WIDE LOCKDOWN NOTIFICATION; TO REQUIRE THAT ALL SCHOOL PERSONNEL RECEIVE TRAINING ON THE PROTOCOL AND APPROPRIATE USE OF THE PANIC ALERT DEVICE; TO DECLARE CERTAIN SCHOOL AND AGENCY SAFETY AND SECURITY RECORDS AND INFORMATION TO BE CONFIDENTIAL AND EXEMPT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI PUBLIC RECORDS ACT OF 1983; TO PROVIDE FOR CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS ALLOWING FOR DISCLOSURE OF SUCH CONFIDENTIAL INFORMATION; TO AUTHORIZE THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO ADOPT RULES TO IMPLEMENT THIS ACT AS NECESSARY TO PROTECT THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF STUDENTS AND EDUCATORS; AND FOR RELATED PURPOSES.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI:
SECTION 1. (1) This section shall be known and may be cited as "Alyssa's Law."
(2) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, each school district shall implement at each school facility a panic alert system making use of wearable panic alert devices, provided to each staff member, allowing for immediate contact with local emergency response agencies by integrating with local public safety answering point infrastructure to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations. Such panic alert system must be capable of initiating a campus-wide lockdown notification.
(3) A school district shall ensure, before the 2025-2026 school year begins, that all school personnel receive training on the protocol and appropriate use of the panic alert device described in subsection (2) of this section.
(4) A school district shall:
(a) Ensure that all security data (cameras, maps and access control) within a school building are accessible by a local law enforcement agency; and
(b) Coordinate with its local law enforcement agency to establish appropriate access protocols.
(5) Any records, information, photographs, audio and visual presentations, schematic diagrams, surveys, recommendations or consultations, or portions thereof, relating directly to the physical security or fire safety of the school facility or revealing security or fire safety systems held by an agency are confidential and exempt from the Mississippi Public Records Act of 1983.
(6) Information made confidential and exempt by this section may be disclosed:
(a) To the property owner or leaseholder;
(b) In furtherance of the official duties and responsibilities of the agency holding the information;
(c) To another local, state or federal agency in furtherance of that agency's official duties and responsibilities; or
(d) Upon a showing of good cause before a court of competent jurisdiction.
(7) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to implement this section as necessary to protect the health and safety of students and educators.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after July 1, 2025.