CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) – Lawmakers in West Virginia are considering new safety measures to enhance school safety.
The West Virginia Education Committee advanced SB 434, known as Alyssa’s Law.
The proposed legislation would require each public school building to be equipped with a silent alarm system that could be activated during an emergency.
Lawmakers in several states, including Tennessee, Florida, and New Jersey, previously passed versions of Alyssa’s Law.
Sen. Robbie Morris, R-Randolph, raised a question about how the program would be funded.
“I know we’ve asked for a fiscal note, and I see we don’t have it yet,” he said. “I was just curious if this is something that would be totally on the backs of the boards of education if we would pay for the first one and they would pay for maintenance, or if we pay for the whole thing?”
Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, chair of the Education Committee, said that decision would be left up to the Legislature.
“Essentially, Senator, that would be the Legislature’s decision, I guess,” said Sen. Amy Grady, R-Mason, chair of the Education Committee.
A fiscal note has been requested for SB 434.
The bill was referred to the finance committee.
Ohio and Kentucky lawmakers are also considering versions of similar legislation.
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