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ATLANTA – [April 28, 2025] – Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS), the leading national school safety non-profit, commends Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Sen. Jason Anavitarte and the Georgia Legislature following the signing of Senate Bill 17, Ricky and Alyssa’s Law. This legislation will require Georgia schools to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting to emergency services. SB 17 is partially named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and has been championed by Alyssa’s parents and founders of Make Our School Safe, Lori and Dr. Ilan Alhadeff. Alyssa’s Law has garnered bipartisan support across the country as a standard for school safety. Alyssa’s mother, Lori Alhadeff, spoke to the significance of this effort: “I want to thank Georgia lawmakers for making school safety a priority. With the passage of Ricky and Alyssa’s Law, Georgia becomes the eighth state to adopt this life-saving measure. We have seen firsthand how this technology saves lives—most recently during the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting, where wearable badges helped ensure a swift response. Every time an alert is activated, it means students and staff are getting to safety faster. That is Alyssa’s legacy, and I am grateful to Georgia for leading the way in protecting our children.” Key Features of Ricky and Alyssa’s Law include: - “Alyssa’s Alert” Panic Alarm System: Requires all public schools implement emergency response communication systems and ensures real-time coordination between local and state first responder agencies. - Enhanced Mapping Data: Provides updated maps, floor plans and building information to first responders, including access to utilities and emergency equipment (AEDs, trauma kits). “I believe that the safety of our students is a critical issue that requires our immediate attention and commitment,” said Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Having an alert system, like the one used in Barrow County and proposed in ‘Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,’ will ensure security and well-being of Georgia’s students and teachers.” Georgia becomes the eighth state to pass Alyssa’s Law, joining Florida, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Utah. “Had my daughter’s school had panic alarms, Alyssa might still be here today. Through Ricky and Alyssa’s Law, we honor their memory and commit ourselves to protecting classrooms nationwide,” said Alhadeff. About Make Our Schools Safe: Make Our Schools Safe is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization dedicated to protecting students and teachers at school. Founded by Lori and Dr. Ilan Alhadeff, the parents of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High massacre victim Alyssa Alhadeff, Make Our Schools Safe’s mission is to empower students and staff to help create and maintain a culture of safety and vigilance in a secure school environment. Learn more and get involved at MakeOurSchoolsSafe.Org.
ATLANTA – [April 28, 2025] – Make Our Schools Safe (MOSS), the leading national school safety non-profit, commends Gov. Brian Kemp, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Sen. Jason Anavitarte and the Georgia Legislature following the signing of Senate Bill 17, Ricky and Alyssa’s Law. This legislation will require Georgia schools to implement a mobile panic alert system capable of connecting to emergency services.
SB 17 is partially named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting, and has been championed by Alyssa’s parents and founders of Make Our School Safe, Lori and Dr. Ilan Alhadeff. Alyssa’s Law has garnered bipartisan support across the country as a standard for school safety.
Alyssa’s mother, Lori Alhadeff, spoke to the significance of this effort: “I want to thank Georgia lawmakers for making school safety a priority. With the passage of Ricky and Alyssa’s Law, Georgia becomes the eighth state to adopt this life-saving measure. We have seen firsthand how this technology saves lives—most recently during the 2024 Apalachee High School shooting, where wearable badges helped ensure a swift response. Every time an alert is activated, it means students and staff are getting to safety faster. That is Alyssa’s legacy, and I am grateful to Georgia for leading the way in protecting our children.”
Key Features of Ricky and Alyssa’s Law include:
“I believe that the safety of our students is a critical issue that requires our immediate attention and commitment,” said Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “Having an alert system, like the one used in Barrow County and proposed in ‘Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,’ will ensure security and well-being of Georgia’s students and teachers.”
Georgia becomes the eighth state to pass Alyssa’s Law, joining Florida, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas and Utah.
“Had my daughter’s school had panic alarms, Alyssa might still be here today. Through Ricky and Alyssa’s Law, we honor their memory and commit ourselves to protecting classrooms nationwide,” said Alhadeff.
About Make Our Schools Safe: Make Our Schools Safe is a 501(c)(3) national non-profit organization dedicated to protecting students and teachers at school. Founded by Lori and Dr. Ilan Alhadeff, the parents of Marjory Stoneman Douglas High massacre victim Alyssa Alhadeff, Make Our Schools Safe’s mission is to empower students and staff to help create and maintain a culture of safety and vigilance in a secure school environment. Learn more and get involved at MakeOurSchoolsSafe.Org.