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Virginia schools weigh wearable panic alarms under new law RICHMOND, Va. (WWBT) - A new Virginia law allows school boards to provide employees with wearable panic alarms that can alert 911 and, when appropriate, trigger a schoolwide emergency notification. With students across Central Virginia back in school, local leaders are not rushing to buy the devices. The law is known as Alyssa’s Law, named for 14-year-old Alyssa Alhadeff, one of 17 people killed in the 2018 Parkland school shooting. Her mother, Lori Alhadeff, went on to advocate for panic alarms in schools designed to get emergency help there faster. Virginia now has its own version of the law, House Bill 592, which Governor Spanberger signed on April 2. It took effect July 1. Dr. Andy Armstrong, superintendent of Goochland County Schools, said his division is considering the technology but wants to be careful about the investment. “We’re going to definitely consider that among other interventions and other technologies. But I think with anything you have to be really careful. We’re talking about significant cost. We also know that when you have a law that is enacted like that, there tends to be a rush to the market from a lot of vendors,” Armstrong said. Cliff Lent is a security consultant for Global Threat Solutions. In an emergency, he says, seconds can mean life or death. “These alarms are designed to decrease response time, and time is ultra significant. Studies have shown, and experience has shown that seconds matter. If you save time, you save lives,” Lent said. Lent said a panic alarm isn’t meant to be the entire safety plan. Armstrong agreed, saying the technology would be just one piece of a larger approach. “Any dollar we spend to ensure that our students are safe is worth the cost. We know that. But it’s just one component and a bigger wheel of school safety. I think you can have that technology that doesn’t replace the muscle memory around training,” Armstrong said. Armstrong said Goochland isn’t making a decision alone. The division plans to convene a “Safe Schools Task Force” in September to weigh safety measures, including wearable alarm systems. “We have a group. It’s going to be about 30 to 40 individuals, not just from the schools, but from our community, from local law enforcement, state law enforcement, elected officials. So when we make a decision like this, which we know affects every family in our division, we want to have that feedback, that broad based feedback,” Armstrong said. Goochland isn’t the only school division holding off on the new technology for now. - Goochland: Considering wearable alarms - Henrico: Researching wearable alarms - Hanover: Tactical alarms already in schools; evaluating wearable systems - Richmond/Chesterfield: No response Henrico County Schools said it is in the early stages of researching wearable alarm systems but said it’s too early to comment. Hanover County already has a tactical alarm system in every school and said it will evaluate new approaches, including wearable devices. Richmond and Chesterfield did not respond when asked about their plans. Focus on the “human element” While school divisions weigh the cost and capabilities of the technology, Lent said it’s important not to lose sight of what comes before the panic button. “I would say never just rely on technology, and I don’t think any school in this day and age is doing that. But don’t over rely on your metal detectors. Don’t over rely on a panic alarm. Always focus and constantly, consistently return to the human element of this,” Lent said. For now, Goochland says it will continue researching the technology. Parents with thoughts are encouraged to reach out to their local school board, as many are looking for feedback before moving forward. Copyright 2026 WWBT. All rights reserved.