Connecticut Expands Funding for School Panic Alert Systems, Paving the Way for Alyssa’s Law
In late June, Governor Ned Lamont signed Public Act 25-102 into law– a major boost for school safety funding. This legislation makes silent panic alarms and other emergency response systems eligible for Connecticut’s School Security Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program, paving the way for Alyssa’s Law. The change unlocks millions in available funding for public K–12 schools, charter schools, and certain preschools to strengthen their emergency communication capabilities.
Alyssa’s Law is named for Alyssa Alhadeff, who tragically lost her life in the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Her story has inspired schools nationwide to improve emergency communication systems so no one is left without a way to call for help during critical incidents.
What This Means for Schools
While this legislation does not yet mandate panic alert systems, it makes it more feasible for schools to add them by covering them under the state’s existing grant program. Eligible projects now include hardware tied to emergency response systems, such as wearable panic buttons, computer-based panic alert software, and other personal emergency devices.
This expanded eligibility is especially important for districts working with limited budgets, as it provides a pathway to expand safety technology without diverting funds from other critical needs. Schools can use this opportunity to prepare for future Alyssa’s Law compliance standards while improving their safety infrastructure now.
How Does the Grant Program Work?
The School Security Infrastructure Competitive Grant Program is administered jointly by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the Department of Administrative Services, and the State Department of Education. Public and private schools, regional service centers, charter schools, technical high schools, licensed child care centers, and certain preschools are all eligible to apply.
Grants can cover a percentage of eligible costs– anywhere from 20% to 80% for districts based on need, and up to 100% for technical high schools. Nonpublic schools, preschools, and child care centers can receive up to 50% reimbursement, capped at $50,000.
To qualify, schools must:
- Develop and practice emergency plans in partnership with local first responders.
- Complete a security assessment.
- Demonstrate safety needs or a lack of existing security infrastructure, with priority given to schools without systems currently in place.
911Cellular Solutions That Can Help
No educator or staff member should ever feel alone or helpless in a crisis. At 911Cellular, our panic alert systems are built for moments exactly like these– fast, discreet, and easy to use. They’re designed to help schools not only meet standards for evolving funding opportunities, but stay ahead of them.
BadgeR+ Wearable Panic Button:
- Badge-sized to attach to lanyard, lightweight, and discreet.
- Three customizable activation options for internal or external help, or both.
- Haptic feedback lets staff know their alert went through.
- Live audio streaming during activations to provide responders with important context.
- Uses existing Wi-Fi and BLE beacons for accurate location tracking down to floor and room number.
- Rechargeable battery with up to three months between charges.
- Software solution for staff desktops, laptops, or mobile workstations.
- Customizable hotkey activation for silent alerts.
- Customizable incident type selection.
- Supports live audio/video streaming to provide responders with important context.
- Affordable, no additional hardware required.
- Strategically placed throughout school buildings for easy access.
- Ideal for common areas such as hallways, cafeterias, or front offices.
- Offers a fast, simple method for students, staff, or visitors to call for help discreetly.
- Quickly trigger panic alerts and share real-time location down to floor and room number.
- Stream audio/video directly to dispatchers for additional context during an incident.
- Set safety timers for added protection while walking alone or in uncomfortable situations.
- Send anonymous tips to administrators for non-emergent issues that require attention.
- Access campus resources like phone numbers, parking information, emergency protocols, and more.
- Allows leadership to send immediate, reliable emergency alerts or daily updates by text, call, email, push alert, and more.
- Screen takeover capabilities ensure that urgent messages are unavoidable for users.
- Alerts can be sent to custom groups of users or your entire institution at once.
- Seamlessly coordinate and share critical information with dispatchers, first responders and internal teams, supporting the grant requirement for coordination with emergency services.
- Instantly provides dispatchers with accurate location data from panic devices to ensure rapid response.
- Provide building maps and special attention notes to help provide additional context to first responders.
- First responders can view the livestreamed audio and video from reporting devices.
What’s Next for Connecticut Schools?
With Public Act 25-102 now in effect, Connecticut schools have a real chance to strengthen safety before the 2025–2026 school year begins. This isn’t just about compliance, it’s about making sure teachers, staff, and students know that help is always within reach. By taking steps now to assess existing safety tools, apply for available grant funding, and train staff, schools can be confident their systems will be ready when it matters most.
Let’s talk about how to protect your staff and meet Alyssa’s Law requirements. Schedule a demo with one of our safety experts today.
