Gov. Phil Murphy signs Alyssa's Law, named for NJ teen killed in Florida school shooting

Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Wednesday called “Alyssa’s Law” that requires New Jersey public schools to install silent panic alarms that can be activated in case of an active-shooter situation.

The law is named for Alyssa Alhadeff, a former Woodcliff Lake resident who was among the 17 people killed in the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School last February.

“Alyssa’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the need for adequate school security measures,” Murphy said in a statement. “In New Jersey, we will do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies from occurring within our borders."

The bill was first introduced five years ago in the wake of the school shooting in Newton, Connecticut, and was renamed for Alyssa with support from her parents, Ilan and Lori Alhadeff, who started an organization called Make Our Schools Safe after their daughter was killed.

"Our hearts are overwhelmed to know our daughter's death is making national changes for school safety, and hopefully other states will follow suit," the Alhadeffs said in a statement. "It is with great pleasure to join Governor Murphy to witness this bill signing, and we know that Alyssa is watching from above.”

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The new law requires that all public elementary and secondary schools be equipped with a panic alarm for use in an emergency such as a lockdown or active-shooter situation. When activated, the alarm will remain silent in the building while alerting local law enforcement of the emergency via a signal or message. 

School districts will also have the option to equip schools with an alternative emergency mechanism capable of performing functions similar to those of a panic alarm, as long as it is approved by the Department of Education.

Alhadeff said in a recent interview that she hopes other states will adopt measures requiring panic alarms. 

"In a school shooting, it's over in six minutes or less and time equals life," she said. 

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The technology will be paid for by state bond money authorized for facility projects. State officials estimated that the measure would cost $2.5 million to $12.5 million in startup expenses, plus ongoing maintenance.