Texas Now Requires Panic Buttons in All School Classrooms

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has signed new legislation that requires the installation of silent panic alert buttons in all of the state's classrooms.

Called "Alyssa's Law," the new law should improve emergency response times at schools during mass shooting events, the governor said.

Abbott also said he believes the panic buttons will save the lives of students and teachers.

The law was named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, one of the 14 students who were killed at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018. Three teachers also were killed.

The 14-year-old's mother, Lori Alhadeff, has since been advocating for the installation of panic buttons in school classrooms.

Under the new mandate, teachers have been told to push the silent alert in the event of an active shooter situation.

Once it is triggered, the button activates lights and alarms, and provides the shooter's location to campus officials and first responders.

"We want to make sure that within seconds kids and teachers can communicate with first responders," said Democratic State Representative Shawn Thierry, who supported the law. "Seconds save lives."