By State Senator Michele Reynolds
Across the nation, parents, teachers, and lawmakers are uniting to demand stronger protections for our children in schools. Tragically, we’ve witnessed too many devastating events unfold in schools, and Ohio is not immune. In 2024 alone, 46 lives were lost, and more than 100 individuals were injured in school shootings across the country. These numbers are deeply troubling and underscore the urgent need for action.
February 14, 2025, marked “Make Our Schools Safe Day” — a nationwide effort across nearly 20 states to advocate for stronger school safety laws. As a state senator, ensuring public safety and the well-being of Ohio’s children is one of my top priorities. That’s why I recently introduced Senate Bill 105, also known as Alyssa’s Law, in honor of Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old who was tragically killed in the 2018 Parkland, Florida, school shooting.
If passed, my bill would require all public and charter schools in Ohio to equip staff with wearable panic alert systems that immediately notify first responders in the event of an emergency. Delayed response times cost lives, and this technology can save them. SB 105 ensures that school staff can instantly alert law enforcement, eliminating unnecessary delays. These silent alarms are connected to first responders with GPS functionality, enabling a fast and effective response by cutting through bureaucracy and confusion.
The estimated cost for implementing this system is $25 million, but Ohio can access $11 million in state safety grants to help schools afford this life-saving technology. Alyssa’s Law has already been enacted in several states, and now Ohio has the chance to take the lead in this critical movement, joining a growing national effort to improve school safety.
School safety is not a partisan issue; it is a shared responsibility. We must act now.
