SB2948 104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB104 16301 AAS 29686 b

104TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2025 and 2026
SB2948

Introduced 1/27/2026, by Sen. Michael E. Hastings

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

See Index

Amends the School Safety Drill Act. Provides that school districts and private schools in the State shall consider the use of mobile panic alert systems in the development of their school emergency and crisis response plans. Provides that the mobile panic alert system, if used, shall be known as "Alyssa's Alert" and shall be capable of connecting to diverse emergency service technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies. Provides that the mobile panic alert system, if used, must be capable of integrating with local, public-safety, answering-point infrastructures to transmit 9-1-1 calls and mobile activations. Requires the State Board of Education to conduct market research, in consultation with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, to identify whether an existing market of supply of mobile panic alert systems that satisfy the requirements under the amendatory provisions is available in the State from multiple vendors for use by school districts. Requires the State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, to develop standards for a mobile panic alert system. Requires the State Board of Education to establish and administer a Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Program. Provides that school districts and private schools may apply to the State Board of Education for a Program grant to obtain a mobile panic alert system in order to better prepare for emergency responses. Provides that Program grants shall be awarded from moneys appropriated for that purpose from the Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund. Amends the State Finance Act to make a conforming change.

STATE MANDATES ACT MAY REQUIRE REIMBURSEMENT MAY APPLY

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning education.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The State Finance Act is amended by adding Section 5.1038 as follows:

(30 ILCS 105/5.1038 new)

Sec. 5.1038. The Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund.

Section 10. The School Safety Drill Act is amended by adding Sections 42 and 43 as follows:

(105 ILCS 128/42 new)

Sec. 42. Mobile panic alert systems.

(a) School districts and private schools in this State shall consider the use of a mobile panic alert system in the development of their school emergency and crisis response plans. The mobile panic alert system, if used, shall be known as "Alyssa's Alert" and shall be capable of connecting to diverse emergency service technologies to ensure real-time coordination between multiple first responder agencies. The mobile panic alert system, if used, must be capable of integrating with local, public-safety, answering-point infrastructures to transmit 9-1-1 calls and mobile activations.

(b) The State Board of Education shall conduct market research, in consultation with the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, to identify whether an existing market of supply of mobile panic alert systems that satisfy the requirements of subsection (a) is available in this State from multiple vendors for use by school districts.

(c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, shall develop standards for a mobile panic alert system. The standards must take into consideration the following:

(1) the scalability of the mobile panic alert system in relation to the possibility of school expansion;

(2) the reliability of the connection technology used and how that technology prevents poor connectivity from severely affecting the response time for first responders;

(3) the ease of integrating the mobile panic alert system into existing safety systems in a way that ensures communication with first responders and that all safety protocols are working together; and

(4) the efficiency of providing instant alerts and notifications to first responders and other school personnel.

(d) The State Board of Education shall send a physical and electronic notification to school districts on which mobile panic alert systems in this State meet the standards developed by the State Board of Education under subsection (c).

(105 ILCS 128/43 new)

Sec. 43. Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund.

(a) Subject to appropriation, the State Board of Education shall establish and administer a Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Program. School districts and private schools may apply to the State Board of Education for a Program grant to obtain a mobile panic alert system under Section 42 in order to better prepare for emergency responses. Program grants shall be awarded from moneys appropriated for that purpose from the Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund.

(b) The Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund is created as a special fund in the State treasury. All money in the Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Fund shall be used, subject to appropriation, by the State Board of Education for the Mobile Panic Alert System Grant Program.

(c) A mobile panic alert system obtained through a Program grant must be compliant with the standards developed by the State Board of Education under subsection (c) of Section 42.