- Bill: SB 70
- Read the Full Legislation
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Florida SB 70 requires all public schools and charter schools to implement a Mobile Panic Alert System (referred to as an “Alyssa’s Alert”) that is capable of:
Note: A companion law (HB 301, 2023) added a separate requirement for digital school mapping data, funded through a $14M grant program.
Alyssa’s Law is named for Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old student who was killed in the February 14, 2018 shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. Her parents became leading voices pushing for school safety reform. They advocate for legislation that would give every classroom a direct, silent line to law enforcement during an emergency (without triggering school-wide alarms that could escalate danger or tip off a threat). Florida, as the state where Alyssa was killed, was among the earliest to respond.
Governor Ron DeSantis signed Senate Bill 70 on June 30, 2020. This made Florida the second state in the country to enact Alyssa’s Law. All public schools and charter schools were required to comply by the start of the 2021–2022 school year. That deadline has long passed.
All public elementary and secondary schools in Florida, including charter schools, were made to comply. The law places ongoing operational obligations on school districts too, requiring more than a one-time installation.
Florida’s version of Alyssa’s Law is among the most prescriptive in the country. Every public school and charter school must operate a Mobile Panic Alert System. This is referred to specifically in the law as an “Alyssa’s Alert.” It must be capable of connecting diverse emergency services technologies, so real-time coordination happens between multiple first responder agencies.
The most critical technical requirement is direct PSAP integration. The system must connect directly to the local Public Safety Answering Point (the 911 dispatch center that coordinates police, fire, and EMS response). A system that notifies school administrators or sends alerts to a mobile app without PSAP connectivity does not meet Florida’s standard.
Florida’s law imposes responsibilities that continue after installation. Most school administrators aren’t aware of them. Every year, school districts must report system information to the Florida Department of Education (FDOE) by August 1, and update that information within five school days of any change. Any time the system fails to connect to the PSAP, the school safety specialist must notify the superintendent, the system vendor, and the FDOE Office of Safe Schools within 24 hours.
These ongoing obligations mean Florida’s Alyssa’s Law compliance is not a checkbox. It is a continual operational responsibility. Schools that installed a system in 2021 and have not reviewed their compliance posture since then may have documentation gaps, network coverage failures, or PSAP integration issues that leave them exposed.
Florida uses a state procurement process to pre-approve vendors and negotiate fixed pricing for Florida school districts. The FDOE reimburses districts up to approximately $2,000 per campus for services provided by approved vendors. Districts that choose a non-approved vendor may still comply with the law. The FDOE, however, will only reimburse costs for approved vendors. Schools should contact the FDOE Office of Safe Schools directly to confirm current vendor approvals and reimbursement terms.
A 2023 companion law (HB 301) added a separate requirement for digital school mapping data for first responders. It’s funded through a dedicated $14 million grant program. This maps closely to what Georgia later mandated statewide in Ricky and Alyssa’s Law. It also reflects the national trend toward relying more upon integrated location data for emergency response.
As with other states’ versions of Alyssa’s Law, mobile panic alert systems are additions to a school’s safety infrastructure. They are not replacements for existing classroom phones, intercoms, or other established communication devices.
Alyssa’s Law has now passed in many states, including New Jersey (2019), Florida (2020), New York (2022), Texas and Tennessee (2023), Utah and Oklahoma (2024), Georgia, Washington, and Oregon (2025), and Virginia and West Virginia (2026). As of early 2026, more than 18 additional states are actively considering legislation.
Florida was an early adopter and remains one of the most demanding implementations in the country. The direct PSAP integration requirement, the annual reporting mandate, and the 24-hour failure notification rule put Florida well ahead of states like Texas and Washington in operational rigor. Some states have since matched or exceeded Florida’s bar:
Florida schools that are fully operational and documented are well-positioned as federal requirements tighten. The schools most at risk are those that completed installation in 2021 and haven’t reviewed their systems since.
Florida’s primary funding mechanism runs through the FDOE’s state allocation. Additional federal sources are available for districts seeking to build more comprehensive systems.
The Florida Legislature has allocated $6.4 million in recurring state funds to support Alyssa’s Alert compliance. FDOE reimburses districts up to approximately $2,000 per campus for services provided by approved vendors. Districts should contact the FDOE Office of Safe Schools directly to confirm current vendor approvals, reimbursement amounts, and application timelines.
The BJA STOP School Violence Program provides funding to prevent and reduce school violence. It awards up to $2 million for state governments and public institutions, and up to $1 million for independent school districts, nonprofits, and public charter schools. Allowable expenses include threat assessment teams, anonymous reporting tools, and school safety technology. Application cycles open annually, typically in late summer or fall. Districts should monitor BJA’s funding opportunities page for the FY26 announcement.
Districts that haven’t reviewed their compliance posture recently should do so before their next August 1 annual reporting deadline.
Punch Rescue provides resilient hardware and software designed to work when it matters most. For Florida schools, that means an emergency communication system that satisfies SB 70’s PSAP integration requirements. It must also remain functional when app-based solutions fail.
The Rescue Card is a wearable panic button worn by teachers and staff. When pressed, it silently triggers an emergency alert. There’s no phone required. Rescue Repeaters extend signal coverage across a campus (including classrooms, gymnasiums, portable buildings, and outdoor areas where WiFi dead zones are common). The Rescue Base Station anchors the system’s communication infrastructure, with approximately six hours of battery backup to maintain operation during power disruptions. This hardware-first approach addresses one of the most common Florida compliance gaps, where network dead zones are present (in the areas of campus where staff are most vulnerable).
Punch Rescue integrates with RapidSOS. This is a platform that connects activated panic button alerts directly to 911 and public safety agencies. The moment a Rescue Card is pressed, RapidSOS transmits real-time incident data (including location and alert type) to the appropriate dispatch center. This directly addresses SB 70’s requirement for PSAP integration and real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies.
Punch Rescue integrates with Mappedin to embed dynamic indoor facility maps directly within the response dashboard. When an alert is triggered, first responders receive accurate, room-level location data. This supports Florida’s companion mapping requirement. It also gives law enforcement the precise location information the law was designed to deliver.
Punch Rescue integrates with Lightspeed System’s Notify for emergency communication coordination, automated response plan distribution, and mass notifications. When an incident occurs, administrators, staff, and first responders receive the right information automatically. No manual steps are required during a moment of crisis.
Florida’s ongoing compliance obligations mean the vendor evaluation process doesn’t end at installation. When evaluating systems, you need to ask:
Punch Rescue is built to answer affirmatively to all of the above. It’s also highly customizable to meet unique school district needs and specifications.
Florida has required every public school to operate a PSAP-integrated mobile panic alert system since the 2021–2022 school year. Compliance is an ongoing operational responsibility, not a one-time installation.
Most panic buttons leave you guessing about device status, battery life, and system health. Punch Rescue provides real-time visibility across your entire infrastructure, so you know your school is ready when it matters most.
