Permitting teachers to wear a “mobile alert button” for emergency situations, to be known as “Alyssa’s Law.”
HB 4798 requires all West Virginia schools to implement a wearable panic alert system called "Alyssa's Law" for staff by December 31, 2026. The bill mandates that every school staff member (including teachers) receives a device capable of instantly triggering 9-1-1 calls and campus-wide lockdowns while integrating with local emergency systems. Schools must also provide annual training on device use and share security data (like cameras and maps) with law enforcement. This policy directly affects all school staff across the state and aims to improve emergency response during crises. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet become law.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
House of Delegates Passage
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Mar 2026
Signed into Law
Aug 2026
Introduced Jan 23, 2026
Signed Aug 13, 2026
Maddy AI version diff · 5 comparisons
What changed between versions
hb4798 s ed am _1 3-3 adopted.htm
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hb4798 sfat grady _1 3-9 adopted.htm
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4 edits
MODERATE
The bill was amended to replace the original committee amendment with a new proposal by Senator Grady. This change shifts the bill's focus from a general school safety rule to a specific legislative substitute titled 'Alyssa's law,' which explicitly creates a dedicated funding source and sets a sunset date for the provisions.
Scope change
The scope was narrowed and redefined by replacing the original text with a new title and specific statutory language, while retaining the core requirement for wearable panic alert devices.
SCOPE
The original committee amendment text was removed and replaced with a new title and introductory clause proposing a specific legislative substitute known as 'Alyssa's law'.
FISCAL
A new provision was added to create the 'Alyssa Alhadeff School Safety Fund' within the state Treasury to finance mobile panic buttons and similar safety equipment.
TIMELINE
A specific sunset date of December 31, 2029, was established for the provisions of the new section.
REQUIREMENT
The new text explicitly requires all security data within school facilities, including cameras and access control maps, to be accessible to local law enforcement agencies.
Floor votes · Senate Mar 9, 2026 · House of Delegates Feb 25, 2026
How they voted
33–0
Passed
Total votes 33
Mar 9, 2026
D
Democratic2
100% Yea
R
Republican31
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea
All Nay
Mixed
No data
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
42
Key actions
10
Committee
8
Apr 1, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - House Journal
lower
Mar 14, 2026
Signed into law
Approved by Governor 4/1/2026 - Senate Journal
upper
Mar 10, 2026
Lower · Passed
House concurred in Senate amendment and passed bill (Roll No. 380)
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Title amendment adopted
upper
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate (Roll No. 378)
upper
Mar 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Committee amendment adopted (Voice vote)
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Reported do pass, with amendment
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Committee
To Education
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed House (Roll No. 183)
lower
Feb 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
By substitute, do pass
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Committee
To House Education
lower
Feb 8, 2026
Committee
To House Public Education
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
To House Education
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Introduced
Introduced in House
lower
Jan 23, 2026
Committee
To Education then Finance
lower
1 primary · 9 co-sponsors
Sponsors
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