S.B. No. 838
AN ACT
relating to school districts and open-enrollment charter schools
providing silent panic alert technology in classrooms.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. This Act may be cited as Alyssa's Law.
SECTION 2. Subchapter D, Chapter 37, Education Code, is
amended by adding Section 37.117 to read as follows:
Sec. 37.117. SILENT PANIC ALERT TECHNOLOGY. (a) Each
school district and open-enrollment charter school shall provide
each classroom in the district or school with silent panic alert
technology that allows for immediate contact with district or
school emergency services and emergency services agencies, law
enforcement agencies, health departments, and fire departments.
(b) Silent panic alert technology provided by a school
district or open-enrollment charter school under this section does
not satisfy the requirement under Section 37.108(a)(2) for the
district or school to ensure employees have classroom access to a
telephone or another electronic communication device.
(c) To comply with this section, a school district or
open-enrollment charter school may:
(1) use funds provided to the district or school
through the school safety allotment under Section 48.115 or other
available funds; and
(2) use the district's or school's customary
procurement process.
SECTION 3. This Act applies beginning with the 2025-2026
school year.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 838 passed the Senate on
April 11, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 838 passed the House on
April 25, 2023, by the following vote: Yeas 145, Nays 0, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor