Alyssa’s Act of 2025: A Renewed Push for Federal School Safety Standards

Alyssa’s Act has returned to the national agenda in the 119th U.S. Congress, continuing efforts to improve school safety measures across the country. H.R.6809 was introduced in December 2025 by U.S. Representative Burgess Owens (R-UT), emphasizing the need for standardized emergency response protocols in K-12 schools.

Alyssa’s Act of 2025 aims to establish national guidelines for school safety, focusing on implementing silent panic alarm technology and digital mapping for first responders. Building on the momentum of Alyssa’s Law, now adopted in several states, this federal proposal aims to establish these critical safety measures as a nationwide standard.

For district leaders and safety teams, understanding the potential direction of federal policy is the first step toward stronger preparedness and more time to prepare to meet compliance.

Why Silent Emergency Alerts & Precise Location Data Matter

Alyssa’s Act stems from a simple principle: during a school crisis, every second matters. This legislation, along with Alyssa’s Law at the state level, is rooted in the belief that faster alerting and better coordination with local 911 services could have made a critical difference in saving lives, including Alyssa’s. While traditional methods like calling 911 directly have their place, during critical incidents these methods can create delays or confusion. By promoting technology solutions that speed up emergency notification and improve coordination with first responders, this legislation prioritizes the safety of students and staff nationwide.

The core requirement is adding silent panic alarm systems in schools. Silent alerting methods let staff request help quickly and quietly, which is crucial during volatile situations. The technology bypasses manual relay chains, connecting school staff directly to the appropriate internal and external response teams, minimizing delays.

The legislation also calls for systems that deliver clear, precise location information during emergencies. Instead of a vague report of 'there’s been an incident at the high school,' responders can see exactly where the incident happened with floor-and-room level accuracy. Ultimately, giving responders clear, exact information helps schools and first responders work together more effectively during a crisis– improving response times and saving lives.

Planning for Compliance

As schools review their safety protocols in anticipation of potential new requirements, it’s helpful to evaluate how current safety infrastructure aligns with proposed federal standards. Choosing a flexible, customizable solution is key, as laws are still evolving and may change. It’s also important to find a provider that integrates seamlessly with existing systems, helping to manage costs while enhancing school safety measures.

How 911Cellular Safety Platform Can Help

The 911Cellular Safety Platform was built with compliance in mind. Designed by former law enforcement, the platform helps bridge communication gaps and supports districts in enhancing their safety infrastructure to align with potential legislative requirements. Our system is designed to work seamlessly with WiFi, BLE beacons– which we also offer to enhance existing WiFi connections– and LoRaWAN, ensuring reliable communication and adaptability across various environments.

911Cellular Alert BadgeR+ – The Wearable Panic Button

The Act defines panic alarm technology as wearable devices that connect users with emergency services at a moment’s notice. 911Cellular offers discreet, hardware-based badges that staff can activate instantly, from anywhere on campus. Unlike ‘Bring Your Own Device’ solutions, these wearables are purpose-built to meet the unique needs of K-12 schools, ensuring reliability and compliance with the 'safe and reliable auxiliary equipment' requirements outlined in the bill.

911Cellular Alert Mobile+ – The Cellular Safety Application + Bluetooth Panic Button

For schools seeking digital, flexible options, Alert Mobile+ enables staff to use their smartphones as panic alert devices. The app also pairs to a wearable Bluetooth panic button that connects directly to the app, making it easy to send silent alerts and share real-time location– strengthening situational awareness for emergency teams and providing an accessible way for staff to request help from anywhere on campus. It’s also an excellent option for additional protection on buses, field trips, or for coaching staff who frequently travel with their teams.

911Cellular Notify – The Mass Notification System

After an alert is sent and the appropriate response teams are contacted, schools need to communicate with the wider campus and families. Notify can deliver custom or predetermined messages based on incident type, location, and roles.

• Incident Type: Administrators can quickly select the type of incident– such as lockdown, evacuation, medical emergency, or customizable situations– prompting Notify to send out pre-written, approved messages. This helps ensure everyone receives accurate information right away, saving valuable time for those managing the response and keeping your school community informed and reassured during a crisis.
• Multi-Channel Messaging: Reach everyone in the places they’re most likely to check quickly in moments of crisis, via SMS, email, voice calls, push notifications, and desktop alerts.
• Role-Based Communication: Tailor notifications to staff, students, parents, or custom groups for clearer, more effective messaging.
• 911Cellular Spark: Spark supports Notify by enabling instant lockdowns following a specific trigger (predetermined by each organization), and enhancing communication capabilities. This hardware solution ensures rapid response and seamless integration with existing safety protocols.

911Cellular Hub – The All-in-One Management and Reporting Application

The Hub serves as a centralized oversight platform, offering clear, real-time insight into incidents and managing the entire safety system in one place. Key features include:

• Digital Emergency Response Maps: Mobile-accessible and easy to update, these maps provide responders with precise floor plans.
• Access Point Visualization: The map highlights the exact access point the user pinged off of, allowing responders to visually pinpoint the user’s location.
• Incident Management: Streamline communication and coordination during emergencies with tools designed for rapid response and oversight.

Additional Protection

Beyond wearable and mobile panic buttons, having multiple ways to alert is crucial for ensuring comprehensive safety coverage. Our additional solutions include:

911Cellular Alert Workstation: This desktop computer, laptop, and Chromebook-compatible solution empowers students and staff to quickly request help from their devices, providing an accessible and immediate way to alert the appropriate responders.

911Cellular Alert Anchor: A fixed, wall-mounted panic button solution designed for high-traffic or strategic locations, ensuring that help is always within reach.

Building a Safer School Ecosystem Today

While silent alarms and rapid alerting are central to Alyssa’s Act, comprehensive school safety measures require a complete approach– including built-in redundancies, ongoing training, and dependable infrastructure. The 911Cellular Safety Platform goes beyond panic buttons, offering scalable solutions tailored to any district’s size, budget, and unique needs.

The reintroduction of Alyssa’s Act is an important reminder that school safety is always evolving. By investing in silent panic alert devices and critical incident management technology, districts can prepare for real-world emergencies while aligning with potential federal standards. Reviewing protocols and identifying gaps in communication today can set the stage for meaningful improvements tomorrow.

If you’re ready to enhance your emergency response or explore how our platform can support your K-12 school safety goals, schedule a no-pressure consultation with one of our school safety experts.