Sen. Jason Anavitarte Introduces “Ricky and Alyssa’s Law” to Promote School Safety

ATLANTA (January 16, 2025) - This week, Sen. Jason Anavitarte (R-Dallas), Chairman of the Senate Majority Caucus, introduced Senate Bill 17 to improve school safety. The legislation honors Alyssa Alhadeff, a victim of the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting in 2018. It is also named after Coach Richard "Ricky" William Aspinwall, defense coordinator at Apalachee High School, killed during a tragic shooting last September. This bill would require all Georgia public schools to install mobile panic alarm systems directly linked to emergency responders and state and local law enforcement. Additionally, the bill mandates that each local school system procure school mapping data for each public and private school within its boundaries.

"I'm determined to see Ricky and Alyssa's Law reach the Governor's desk," said Sen. Anavitarte. "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, voiced his support for 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," said Sen. Dixon. "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."

"I believe that the safety of our students is a critical issue that requires our immediate attention and commitment," said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. "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."

Similar legislation bearing the name Alyssa's Law has been enacted in New Jersey, Florida, New York, Texas, Tennessee, Utah, and Oklahoma. With Sen. Anavitarte's proposal, Georgia joins more than ten other states actively working to pass this critical school safety measure.

You can find more information on SB 17 here.

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Sen. Jason Anavitarte serves as Chairman of the Senate Majority Caucus. He represents the 31st Senate District, which includes Polk County and a portion of Paulding County. He may be reached via email at [email protected].

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