Lawmakers introduce ‘ALYSSA Act,’ named after Parkland victim

WASHINGTON, D.C. (FLV) – A group of bipartisan congressional lawmakers and Parkland advocates issued new federal school safety legislation yesterday on Capitol Hill.

Representatives were joined with parents of the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School to introduce the ALYSSA and the SOS Act.

The proposed bill is named after Alyssa Alhadeff, who was one of 17 victims murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas in February 2018.

“The ALYSSA Act will require silent panic alarms in all schools to immediately alert law enforcement of active shooter situations … the SOS Act will increase investment in more well-trained school resource officers,” said Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-N.J.

You can view the entire press conference by clicking here, courtesy of WPLG.

Gottheimer was joined by fellow lawmakers Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., Don Davis, D-N.C., Tony Gonzales, R-Texas, and Jared Moskowitz, D-Fla., representing the district that includes Parkland.

Gonzales’ district includes Uvalde, Texas, the site of the mass shooting at Robb Elementary School on May 24, 2022.

“Every single thing we do can save a life, and can have one more kid come home from school or a movie theater, or a grocery store, or just their regular neighborhood where gun violence is too prevalent,” Moskowitz said.

Parents of the school shooting in attendance included Alyssa’s mother, Lori Alhadeff, Max Schachter and Tony Montalto.

“We can prevent violence from happening before it happens,” said Alhadeff, who is the chair of Broward County’s School Board. Alhadeff is also president of Make Our Schools safe, a nonprofit dedicated to school safety.

Alyssa’s law has already passed in New Jersey, New York, Texas, Tennessee and Florida. Pending state legislation includes Arizona, Georgia, Nebraska, Oregon and Virginia.

“I love you Alyssa and in your honor, you will be saving lives with this legislation and action,” Alhadeff continued.