School safety is top of mind for Pa. members. House considering silent alarms and cell phones

On November 17, 2025, the House Education and Health Committees held a joint hearing on introducing cell phones in schools, but ultimately reached no conclusions. (Whitney Downard/Pennsylvania Capital Star)

School districts across the commonwealth may soon need to consider policies regarding silent alarms and cell phone operate in their buildings.

The state House of Representatives committees on education and health held a joint, two-hour hearing on Monday for information purposes, without considering any specific legislation. However, lawmakers did not appear to reach consensus on any of the issues, instead emphasizing the need for parental involvement and parental rights.

Nearly a dozen parents from across the state urged lawmakers to support a ring-to-ring cellphone ban, part of a 3,000-member coalition called “PA Unplugged.” The group is trying to implement a no-phone policy statewide.

“Bell to bell,” as used at the committee meeting, meant a political ban from the first bell in the morning until the last bell in the afternoon – with no exceptions for study halls or lunch.

“If children are so worried about contact with their parents, they don’t necessarily pay attention to the adult in the room who has been trained to provide information about what happens next and what children should do to stay safe,” Katie Talarico, an Allegheny County mom, told the Capital-Star. “We definitely believe that even in the most extreme situation, it is best not to have a cell phone.”

Talarico said dozens or even hundreds of children calling their parents could clog phone lines, hampering law enforcement’s work. She further stated that “it’s not good for emotional development either.”

“Children need opportunities to practice independence skills,” she said. “Sometimes I wish I could interact with the kids and find out, ‘How did this test go?’ But at some point we have to let the kids learn to solve these problems on their own.

House members who are parents, both Republicans and Democrats, had differing views, with some recalling the 9/11 attacks and the relief of a quick call from their children.

“Unfortunately, as someone who experienced 9/11 as a young person, and as a parent who witnessed numerous school shootings across the country, the thought that I may never hear my child’s voice for the last time weighs heavily on me,” said Rep. Danielle Friel Otten, D-Chester.

Ground effects

Some teachers, administrators, researchers and security staff testifying before the committees detailed the negative consequences of cellphone operate in the classroom, including cyberbullying and organizing school viral fights.

Beth Sanborn, president of the Pennsylvania Association of School Resources Offices and school safety coordinator for Montgomery County, said students even ordered food and let delivery people through secured doors with cell phones.

“The no-phone policy is not about punishment. It’s about protection,” Sanborn said.

Regarding parental safety concerns, Sanborn stressed that “there is no contingency plan anywhere that covers students using a cell phone” to notify parents and stated that a lack of contact does not mean a child is unsafe.

Mitch Prinstein, chair of the American Psychological Association’s psychology division, said data suggests high school students spend a third of every hour on devices that “probably” hinder learning.

“It’s not surprising that a child’s device at school leads to their poor academic performance. But what’s more surprising is that a child’s device use is also associated with poor academic performance for the students sitting behind them,” Prinstein said.

He also spoke about concerns about the misuse of AI by teenage adults, particularly in applications focused on well-being or therapy. He said some parents gave their child a smartwatch or simply used a school email address to stay in touch throughout the day – although such communications may be subject to disclosure laws.

Lisa Graham, a school counselor in the Seneca Valley School District in Butler County, said the number of cyberbullying incidents at her school dropped after her school implemented a bell-to-bell cellphone ban.

“Because students are not filling their free time with phones, they are developing social and communication skills,” Graham said. “They make new friends, and this increased connection promotes a greater sense of belonging at school and benefits their mental health.”

Silent alarms and responses in emergency situations

Another group of House members also considered a bill Monday that would force districts to “consider” whether to invest in silent alarm system that can notify law enforcement in an emergency.

Named “Alyssa’s Law” House Bill 634 was inspired in part by the death of Alyssa Alhadeff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018.

Silent alarms — including wearable versions or mobile apps — can be customized for a variety of purposes, such as one press for behavioral assistance or multiple hits for an dynamic shooter.

“When seconds count, immediate notification can save a life,” said David Lash, president of the Pennsylvania Chiefs Association and chief of police for the Northern York County Regional Police Department.

Alyssa’s Law, named after the Parkland shooting victim, would require panic alarms to be installed in school buildings

Lash said two of the seven counties in his service area had such systems, but the “most sophisticated” was probably in Delaware County. The Delaware County School Alert System (DelPASS) is on there. throughout the district and integrates law enforcement.

Lash added that such systems are not replacements and continued to encourage people to call 911 with further details. But “pressing a button in a classroom that goes directly to the 911 emergency center will send officers to the scene.”

An unknown number of districts have funded such alarms using school safety grants from the Pennsylvania Crime and Delinquency Commission, said Heather Masshardt, deputy director of the school safety and security group.

Masshardt said she could not provide details “due to precautions and data security requirements under the Pennsylvania Public School Code.” As much as $127 million has been made available for public, charter and private schools, which can also be spent on cybersecurity and other purchases. The latest budget increased those dollars by an additional $120 million.

The current grant funding structure allows schools to fund silent alarms after meeting other safety requirements, such as having exterior doors unsupported and closed or having a buzzer at public entrances.

The committees did not indicate further steps on any of the topics and adjourned the deliberations without a vote.