A Republican Georgia state senator has put forth a new bill he believes will enhance school safety.
Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R–Dallas), chairman of the Senate Majority Caucus, introduced legislation designed to improve school safety on campuses across Georgia.
The bill is named in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff (a victim of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting) and Coach Richard “Ricky” William Aspinwall (the Apalachee High School defensive coordinator killed during a shooting last September).
As drafted, Senate Bill 17 mandates the installation of mobile panic alarm systems in all Georgia public schools. These alert systems can notify police and first responders within seconds in the event of an emergency or potential threats.
The bill also would require each local school district to gather detailed school mapping data for both public and private schools within their boundaries for faster response efforts.
Centegix, for instance, is a remote alert system carried by faculty members that can notify authorities, identify the location of a potential threat and lockdown a school campus almost as soon as that threat is identified.
That system already has been installed in school systems across North Georgia.
“I’m determined to see Ricky and Alyssa’s Law reach the Governor’s desk,” Anavitarte said. “As the husband of a teacher and father to three school-aged daughters, I feel an obligation to ensure the protection of families across our state. This legislation will help law enforcement respond swiftly in times of crisis. I believe public support is strong, and I’m confident we can pass Ricky and Alyssa’s Law this session, providing our schools and law enforcement with the tools they need to prevent future tragedy.”
Sen. Clint Dixon (R–Gwinnett), former chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth, said so far he’s in favor of the bill.
“This legislation is deeply personal to me, as I serve the families of Barrow County who were impacted by the tragic school shooting at Apalachee,” Dixon said. “This bill directly benefits students, their families and our school systems by strengthening safety measures in Georgia’s learning environments. I applaud Sen. Anavitarte for his dedication to creating a more secure environment for schools statewide.”
In a statement, Lt. Governor Burt Jones indicated his belief that Anavitarte’s legislation could potentially save lives.
“I believe that the safety of our students is a critical issue that requires our immediate attention and commitment,” Jones said. “Having an alert system, like the one used in Barrow County and proposed in ‘Ricky and Alyssa’s Law,’ will ensure security and well-being of Georgia’s students and teachers. I want to thank Senator Anavitarte for prioritizing this important issue.”
