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SB 5004

Updating emergency response systems in public schools including panic or alert buttons.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Leonard Christian and 8 co-sponsors

SB 5004 requires K-12 schools to develop or upgrade emergency response systems with law enforcement, PSAPs, and safety staff, including panic alerts, cameras, or access controls.

Effective date 7/27/2025.
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Bill Summary · SB 5004

Summary — SB 5004 (2025): Updating emergency response systems in public schools (Alyssa's Law)

Purpose

SB 5004 requires public K‑12 education providers in Washington to develop or upgrade emergency response systems using evolving technology to expedite law enforcement response during threats or emergencies. The act is cited as "Alyssa's law."

Key provisions

  • Applicability expanded: requirements that previously applied to school districts are extended to charter schools and state‑tribal education compact schools (STECs).
  • Collaborative development: emergency response systems must be developed in collaboration with local law enforcement agencies, public safety answering points (PSAPs), and "safety and security staff" (as defined in RCW 28A.320.124).
  • Minimum system components: an emergency response system must include at least one of the following:
    • Panic or alert buttons tied to school administration, district staff, and emergency responders;
    • Live video feed accessible by law enforcement, the district, and the school;
    • Live audio feed accessible by law enforcement, the district, and the school;
    • Remote control access to doors;
    • Live interactive two‑way communications; or
    • A system that complies with applicable state building code requirements for Group E occupancies (i.e., building‑code‑compliant emergency response systems developed under this section or as part of a safe school plan under RCW 28A.320.125).
  • Removed encouragement: the bill removes a prior encouragement for districts to use OSPI School Safety Center model policies (i.e., it no longer explicitly points districts to those model policies).
  • Reporting requirements:
    • Each school district, charter school, and STEC must submit a progress report on implementation of an emergency response system to the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI) by October 1, 2025.
    • OSPI must compile the submissions and report to the Legislature by December 1, 2025, on the types of emergency response systems in use.

Who is affected

  • All Washington public school districts, charter schools, and state‑tribal education compact schools.
  • Local law enforcement and PSAPs (as partners in planning and, in many cases, system access).
  • School safety and security staff and school administrators responsible for implementation and operation.

Fiscal and procedural notes

  • No appropriation included in the bill; a fiscal note is available.
  • Legislative action: introduced 12/02/2024; passed both chambers (Senate concurrence in House amendments) unanimously; delivered to Governor 04/23/2025; signed by Governor 05/19/2025 (chapter 347, 2025 Laws).
  • Effective date: July 27, 2025 (statutory effect 90 days after adjournment).

Context / Public testimony

  • The bill is referred to as Alyssa’s Law (named after a Parkland, FL victim). Testimony reported broad support; proponents described the measure as focused on school safety and not an unfunded mandate (it mandates reporting and planning rather than providing funding). No formal opposition was recorded in committee reports.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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