New law now requires New Jersey schools to have panic alarms

All New Jersey public schools are now required to install panic alarms under legislation signed into law Wednesday.

News 12 Staff

Feb 7, 2019, 12:41 AM

Updated 1,902 days ago

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All New Jersey public schools are now required to install panic alarms under legislation signed into law Wednesday.
The measure is called “Alyssa’s Law” after 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff. She was a New Jersey native who died in the fatal high school shooting in Parkland, Florida, nearly one year ago. Alhadeff was originally from Woodcliff Lake.
Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that the state "will do everything in our power" to prevent tragedies like the one in Parkland.
The legislation requires the state's roughly 2,500 public schools to install silent alarms that communicate life-threatening or emergency situations to law enforcement.
Alhadeff’s parents attended the bill signing. They said in a statement, “Our hearts are overwhelmed to know our daughter's death is making national changes for school safety and hopefully other states will follow suit."
"It is with great pleasure to join Gov. Murphy to witness this bill signing and we know that Alyssa is watching from above."
Legislative fiscal estimates said the project could cost between $2.5 million and $12.5 million. The bill calls for tapping into $500 million in voter-approved bond funding as a source of revenue for the project.

The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.


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