December 17, 2025
Mr. Owens (for himself, Mr. Gottheimer, Mr. Diaz-Balart, and Mr. Moskowitz) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Homeland Security, and Oversight and Government Reform, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to reduce losses of life through better school safety standards and responses, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as Alyssa’s Act of 2025
.
Sec. 2. Expansion of the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices
(a) In general
Section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended by adding at the end the following new subsections:
(f) Public education efforts
(1) In general
As part of the Clearinghouse, the Secretary may take any step necessary to carry out public education efforts regarding tools and processes necessary to avoid and address school emergencies (including school shootings), including with respect to prevention and response.
(2) Programs
The public education efforts referred to in paragraph (1) shall include programs to provide specialized information to States and school administrators to help identify, address, and prevent school emergencies (including school shootings) to protect life as quickly and efficiently as possible.
(3) Means
The Secretary shall sponsor and encourage research, testing, and experimentation to determine the most effective means to implement the tools and processes referred to in paragraph (1).
(g) Training and technical assistance
As part of the Clearinghouse, the Secretary shall provide to the individuals and entities referred to in subsection (a)(2) training and technical assistance with respect to the following:
(1)
The evidence-based practices and recommendations of the Clearinghouse.
(2)
Individualized consulting with schools, to determine for each school the best way to implement such practices and recommendations, as appropriate.
(h) Subject matter experts
As part of the Clearinghouse, the Secretary shall hire personnel and contractors with expertise in school safety and school administration to provide additional subject matter expertise in implementing evidence-based programming in schools.
(i) Panic alarm technology
(1) Technology development program
As part of the Clearinghouse, the Secretary shall carry out a program of development, testing, and evaluation of panic alarm technology for utilization by first responders and local educational agencies to improve response times, recovery, and loss mitigation in the event of school emergencies (including school shootings), including with respect to the following:
(A)
Safe and reliable auxiliary equipment for utilization in school shooting response, detection, and control, including visual strobes and audio communications equipment and mobile equipment.
(B)
Related equipment with high sensitivity and reliability that are relatively inexpensive to purchase, install, and maintain to ensure wide acceptance and utilization in schools.
(C)
Methods of testing such technology on a non-interference basis.
(D)
Specifications, standards, and acceptance and validation test procedures for all such equipment.
(E)
Operation tests, demonstration projects, and alert investigations in support of the matters described in subparagraphs (A) through (D).
(2) Limitation
The Secretary may not manufacture or sell any equipment developed pursuant to paragraph (1), except to the extent the Secretary determines necessary to develop, test, or evaluate such equipment.
(3) Management studies
(A) Panic alarm technology
(i) Studies permitted
The Secretary may conduct studies of the operations and management aspects of panic alarm technology through quantitative techniques, including operations research, management economics, cost effectiveness studies, and other techniques and methods as may be applicable and useful.
(ii) Content
The studies under clause (i) shall include consideration of the following:
(I)
The allocation of resources.
(II)
The optimum panic alarm technology.
(III)
The optimum geographical area for panic alarm technology.
(IV)
The manner of responding to such technology.
(V)
The operation of citywide and regional public safety answering points.
(VI)
The effectiveness, frequency, and methods of inspecting such technology.
(B) Research
The Secretary may conduct research on the following:
(i)
The productivity and efficiency of panic alarm technology.
(ii)
The reduction of injuries caused by such technology.
(iii)
The most effective types of such technology.
(iv)
Procedures and techniques for accurately measuring and analyzing the matters described in clauses (i) through (iii).
(C) Assistance
The Secretary may assist first responders and local educational agencies in measuring and evaluating, on a cost-benefit basis, the effectiveness of programs and activities related to panic alarm technology.
(j) Projects
As part of the Clearinghouse, the Secretary may conduct development, testing, and demonstration projects to introduce to and encourage utilization by local educational agencies new technology, standards, operating methods, command techniques, and management systems.
(k) Rural assistance
As part of the Clearinghouse, the Secretary may assist first responders and local educational agencies in sponsoring and encouraging research into approaches, techniques, systems, and equipment to improve school emergency prevention and response in rural and remote areas.
(l) Guidance
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall ensure that, as relevant technological and practical developments occur, the Clearinghouse’s guidance regarding school emergencies (including school shootings) is as aligned as practicable with the related guidance of other Federal agencies (including the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services), State and local governments, public sector entities, and private sector entities.
(m) National School Safety Data Center
(1) In general
As part of the Clearinghouse, not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this subsection, the Secretary shall establish through SchoolSafety.gov an integrated, comprehensive National School Safety Data Center (in this section referred to as the
Data Center) for the selection, analysis, publication, and dissemination of information related to the following:(A)
The prevention, occurrence, and control of school emergencies (including school shootings).
(B)
Results with respect to any effort to address school safety.
(C)
Other school safety resources, including with respect to hardening measures.
(2) Duties
The duties of the Secretary with respect to the Data Center are the following:
(A)
Provide an accurate nationwide analysis of issues related to school safety.
(B)
Identify major problems regarding school safety.
(C)
Assist States, local educational agencies, and law enforcement agencies in setting priorities regarding school safety.
(D)
Determine possible solutions to such problems.
(3) Data
In carrying out the duties under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall gather and analyze data with respect to the following:
(A)
The frequency, causes, trends, and responses with respect to school emergencies (including school shootings).
(B)
The number of injuries and deaths resulting from school violence, including information on the specific causes and nature of such injuries and deaths.
(C)
The property losses resulting from school violence.
(D)
The behavioral hazards faced by school staff, including the causes of staff injuries and deaths resulting from school violence.
(E)
The types of school safety plans utilized by schools, including with respect to inspection and updating reporting practices.
(F)
The school safety prevention and response laws, systems, methods, techniques, and administrative structures utilized in States.
(G)
The causes of, behaviors relating to, and best methods to control other types of school safety issues, including classroom outbursts, physical altercations, truancy, and elopement.
(H)
Any other matter as the Data Center determines useful and applicable.
(4) Other duties
In carrying out the duties under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall carry out the following:
(A)
Develop standardized data reporting methods with respect to the data described in paragraph (3).
(B)
Encourage and assist States, local educational agencies, and law enforcement agencies in developing and reporting such data.
(C)
Utilize data gathering and analysis organizations, both public and private.
(5) Dissemination
The Secretary shall carry out the following:
(A)
Ensure, to the maximum extent possible, dissemination to States, local educational agencies, and law enforcement agencies of the school safety data collected and developed with respect to the Data Center.
(B)
Publish through SchoolSafety.gov such data for utilization by Federal agencies (including the Department of Education and the Department of Health and Human Services), State and local governments, public sector entities, and private sector entities.
(n) Annual report
(1) In general
Not later than June 30 of the year following the date of the enactment of this subsection and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit a report on any activity relating to the Clearinghouse during the preceding year to the following:
(A)
The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(B)
The Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives.
(C)
The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(D)
The Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.
(E)
The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(F)
The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
(G)
The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
(2) Contents
A report submitted pursuant to paragraph (1) shall include information relating to the following:
(A)
An appraisal, including statistical analyses, estimates, and long-term projections, of the human and economic losses due to school shootings.
(B)
A survey and summary of any activity relating to the research and technology efforts carried out under the Clearinghouse.
(C)
A comparative analysis of actions recommended in school safety plans described in subsection (m)(3)(E).
(D)
An assessment of the effectiveness of the Clearinghouse in assisting schools to develop and implement master plans as a means to avert violence, and policy recommendations for improved effectiveness.
(E)
A summary of the activities taken to assist first responders and local educational agencies.
(F)
A summary of the public education efforts carried out under the Clearinghouse.
(G)
A summary of outstanding problems with respect to the Clearinghouse, in order of priority.
(H)
A description of evidence-based recommendations for additional legislation as the Secretary determines appropriate with respect to school safety.
(o) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Local educational agency
The term local educational agency has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(2) Panic alarm technology
The term panic alarm technology means a wearable device that allows for immediate contact with emergency services or emergency services agencies, law enforcement agencies, health departments, and fire departments.
(3) Public safety answering point
The term public safety answering point has the meaning given such term in section 222 of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 U.S.C. 222).
(b) Directors
(1) Clearinghouse
Section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)(3)—
(i)
by redesignating subparagraphs (A) and (B) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; and
(ii)
by inserting before subparagraph (B), as so redesignated, the following new subparagraph:
(A) Director
(i) In general
Not later than 120 days after the date of the enactment of this clause, the Secretary shall designate from among the personnel of the Department a Director of the Clearinghouse (in this section referred to as the
Director).(ii) Discharge
In carrying out this section, the Secretary shall act through the Director.; and
(B)
in subsection (b)—
(i)
in paragraph (2)(B)(iii), by striking subsection (a)(3)(B)
and inserting subsection (a)(3)(C)
; and
(ii)
in paragraph (3), by striking subsection (a)(3)(B)
and inserting subsection (a)(3)(C)
.
(2) United States Secret Service
Section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended—
(A)
in subsection (a)(1), by inserting the Director of the United States Secret Service,
after with
;
(B)
in subsection (b)(1)—
(i)
in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by striking for
and inserting of
;
(ii)
in subparagraph (A), by striking and
at the end;
(iii)
in subparagraph (B)—
(I)
by striking evidence-based practices published by the Clearinghouse
and inserting such practices
; and
(II)
by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and
; and
(iv)
by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(C)
consult with the Director of the United States Secret Service to ensure that such practices and recommendations are aligned with the evidence-based support of the National Threat Assessment Center.; and
(C)
in subsection (d)(2), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting the Director of the United States Secret Service,
after with
.
(c) External advisory board
Subsection (d)(2)(B) of section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) is amended—
(1)
by striking establish an external advisory board, which shall be comprised
and inserting notwithstanding subsection (a)(2) of section 1013 of title 5, United States Code, maintain an external advisory board composed
; and
(2)
by striking representative
and inserting representatives
.
Sec. 3. Funding prohibition and strategy for emergency response maps
(a) Funding prohibition
(1) Prohibition
No Federal funds made available for fiscal year 2026 or any fiscal year thereafter may be used to procure an emergency response map that does not meet the requirements described in paragraph (2).
(2) Requirements
The requirements for an emergency response map described in paragraph (1) are the following:
(A)
Be in a digital geospatial format—
(i)
accessible on a laptop computer, tablet computer, smartphone, or other mobile platform; and
(ii)
capable of being—
(I)
printed and shared electronically; and
(II)
updated in real time.
(B)
Be interoperable with emergency response systems using commonly accepted standards and capable of being digitally integrated into other mapping, emergency response, or public safety applications.
(C)
Have symbology in accordance with guidelines of the National Association of Public Safety GIS.
(D)
Have data owned by the owner of the site for which such map is procured with the right to copy, display, distribute, transmit, and adapt such map for any lawful purpose, including sharing such map with the governmental or private entities that provide or support emergency services at such site.
(E)
Have data shared only via a secured and authenticated application programming interface.
(F)
Not be stored in a data center located outside of the United States.
(G)
Be in a format that can be oriented true north and on a coordinate grid.
(H)
Be in a format that can display any floor of the site (or the portion of the site) for which such map is procured through overlaid, aerial imagery.
(I)
Be for a site (or a portion of a site) that is verified annually by the local educational agency for accuracy by a walk through inspection of such site or such portion.
(J)
After any funds to procure such map are expended, be made available to the following without restriction:
(i)
The procurer of such map.
(ii)
Each covered public safety agency that serves the site for which such map is procured.
(b) Strategy
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Secretary of Health and Human Services, shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a strategy for the Federal Government to carry out the following:
(A)
Procure an emergency response map that satisfies the requirements described in subsection (a)(2) for any site that is owned or leased by the Federal Government and determined to be critical by the Secretary.
(B)
Distribute such map to each covered public safety agency that serves such site.
(2) Briefing
Not later than 180 days after the date on which the Secretary submits the strategy pursuant to paragraph (1), the Secretary shall brief the appropriate congressional committees on such strategy.
Sec. 4. Master plans
(a) Report
Not later than 4 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate congressional committees a report on the establishment and effectiveness of master plans throughout the United States.
(b) Contents
A report submitted pursuant to subsection (a) shall include the following:
(1)
A summary of the extent and quality of master planning activities.
(2)
A summary and evaluation of master plans prepared by States and political subdivisions of States that considers with respect to each such plan the following:
(A)
The characteristics of the jurisdiction adopting such plan, including the following:
(i)
Density and distribution of population.
(ii)
Geographic location.
(iii)
Per capita rate of—
(I)
shootings; and
(II)
injuries and deaths caused by such shootings.
(iv)
Size and characteristics of political subdivisions of such State or of such subdivision.
(B)
The approach to developing and implementing such plan.
(3)
An evaluation of the best approach to the development and implementation of master plans, such as central planning by a State department of education and department of public safety, regionalized planning within a State coordinated by a State agency, or local planning supplemented and coordinated by a State agency.
(4)
An assessment of the costs and benefits of master plans.
Sec. 5. Rule of construction on rulemaking authority
Nothing in this Act may be construed to grant any rulemaking or other regulatory authority to the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices under section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k).
Sec. 6. Definitions
In this Act:
(1) Appropriate congressional committees
The term appropriate congressional committees means the following:
(A)
The Committee on Appropriations of the House of Representatives.
(B)
The Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of Representatives.
(C)
The Committee on Energy and Commerce of the House of Representatives.
(D)
The Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives.
(E)
The Committee on Appropriations of the Senate.
(F)
The Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Senate.
(G)
The Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate.
(2) Covered public safety agency
The term covered public safety agency means—
(A)
a Federal, State, or local agency that provides emergency response services; or
(B)
a SLTT entity (as defined in section 2200 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 650)).
(3) Emergency response map
The term emergency response map means a map of a site (or a portion of a site) to be used by a covered public safety agency in responding to an emergency at such site (or such portion of such site).
(4) Local educational agency
The term local educational agency has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(5) Master plan
The term master plan means a plan that results in the planning and implementation in the area involved of a general program of action for school shooting prevention and response and that includes the following:
(A)
A survey of the resources and personnel of school safety services.
(B)
An analysis of the effectiveness of the school safety standards and codes in such area.
(C)
An analysis of short- and long-term school shooting prevention and response needs in such area.
(D)
A plan to meet the school shooting prevention and response needs in such area.
(E)
An estimate of cost and realistic plans for financing the implementation of the plan and operation on a continuing basis.
(F)
A summary of problems that are anticipated in implementing such plan.
(6) Secretary
The term Secretary means the Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Director of the Federal Clearinghouse on School Safety Evidence-based Practices under section 2220D of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 665k) (as amended by section 2(b)(1) of this Act).
(7) Site
The term site means a building, campus, or facility of a school.
(8) State
The term State means each State of the United States, the District of Columbia, and each commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States.