HF4571

Purpose

• Establish a statewide safety measure requiring wearable panic alert systems in Minnesota schools, starting in the 2026-2027 school year, to improve rapid communication with emergency responders and enable campus lockdowns.
• Provide funding to reimburse schools for the costs of implementing these systems.
• Name the measure as Alyssa's Law for citation purposes.

Main Provisions

• Definitions
  • School: includes independent or special school districts, charter schools, and certain nonpublic schools.
  • School facility: any building or location where students and staff are present during the school day.
  • The section is cited as Alyssas Law.
• Panic alert system requirements
  • Each school facility must have a wearable panic alert system capable of:
  • Integrating with local public safety answering point (PSAP) infrastructure to transmit 911 calls and mobile activations.
  • Initiating a campus-wide lockdown notification.
  • Every staff member in a school facility must be provided with a wearable panic alert device that allows immediate contact with local emergency response agencies.
• Training and protocols
  • Before the first day of each school year, schools must train all facility personnel on the panic alert protocol and proper use of the device.
• Security information management
  • Security information within the school (including camera maps and access control information) must be accessible to the local law enforcement agency to the extent allowed by law (Chapter 13).
  • Schools must work with local law enforcement to establish appropriate access protocols for this information.
  • Schools retain ownership of security information and any information generated by the panic alert system.
• Legal reference
  • Section 1 is part of Minnesota Statutes, chapter 121A.

Implementation Timeline and Oversight

• Effective implementation begins with the 2026-2027 school year.
• The measure involves coordination between each school and local law enforcement, and it is codified in Minnesota Statutes (amending or adding 121A.09).

Funding and Fiscal Impact

• Appropriations
  • General fund money is set aside to reimburse schools for the costs of implementing the panic alert system requirements.
  • Reimbursements are administered by the Department of Education, in a form and manner determined by the commissioner.
  • This is a one-time appropriation and remains available until June 30, 2028.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• Creates a new mandate requiring wearable panic alert systems in every school facility and devices for all staff.
• Requires integration with PSAP infrastructure and triggers campus lockdown capabilities.
• Requires annual staff training on panic alert protocols.
• Establishes a framework for sharing security information with local law enforcement and sets ownership and access protocols.
• Opens a dedicated, one-time funding mechanism to reimburse districts for these costs.

Relevant Terms - Alyssas Law - wearable panic alert system - panic alert device - 911 calls - local public safety answering point (PSAP) - campus-wide lockdown notification - school facility - school - independent or special school district - charter school - nonpublic school - camera map - access control information - local law enforcement agency - Chapter 13 (Minnesota Statutes) - Minnesota Statutes section 121A.09 - Department of Education - general fund - appropriation - one-time appropriation - June 30, 2028 - 2026-2027 school year - security information ownership