New Jersey schools to add silent panic alarms in wake of Parkland shooting

All 2,500 public schools in New Jersey will soon be equipped with silent panic alarms to help protect students in the case of an active shooter and other emergency situations.

Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed the bill into law Wednesday, making the alarms a requirement going forward, according to NJ.com.

{mosads}The legislation was named after former New Jersey resident Alyssa Alhadeff, a 14-year-old who was one of 17 killed in the Parkland shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.

“Alyssa’s death is a stark reminder of the dangers of gun violence and the need for adequate school security measures,” Murphy said in a statement. “In New Jersey, we will do everything in our power to prevent these tragedies from occurring within our borders.”

The bill passed the Democratic-controlled House and Senate with bipartisan support, the news outlet reports.

Equipping schools with the silent alarms will cost somewhere between $2.5 and $12.5 million. The silent panic alarms would alert nearby authorities during emergency situations.

Alhadeff’s parents Ilhan and Lori were present Wednesday when Murphy signed the bill into law.

“Our hearts are overwhelmed to know our daughter’s death is making national changes for school safety, and hopefully other states will follow suit,” the couple said in a statement.