Washington’s New School Emergency Response Law: What Educators Need to Know About SB 5004

SB 5004 is a new Washington State law designed to modernize and strengthen emergency response systems in all public K-12 schools. The legislation was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate and signed into law on May 19, 2025. It goes into effect on July 27, 2025

Why was SB 5004 Passed?

The safety of students, educators, and staff is a top priority for Washington schools. Recent events nationwide have underscored the need for faster, more coordinated responses to school emergencies. SB 5004 was inspired in part by Alyssa’s Law and aims to save lives by ensuring that every school is equipped with advanced technology to expedite law enforcement response during threats or emergencie

What Does the Law Require?

Under SB 5004, every Washington school district must:

  • Collaborate with local law enforcement, public safety answering points, and safety/security staff to develop an emergency response system using evolving technology.

  • Implement at least one of the following emergency response features:

    • Panic or alert buttons tied to school administration, district staff, and emergency responders

    • Live video feed accessible by law enforcement, the school district, and the school

    • Live audio feed accessible by law enforcement, the school district, and the school

    • Remote control access to doors

    • Live, interactive two-way communications

    • Or a system that meets state building code requirements for emergency response in schools.

These measures are designed to provide immediate communication and response options in the event of a medical emergency, active threat, or violent incident.

What Are the Deadlines?

  • Law Effective Date: July 27, 2025

  • School District Progress Report Due: October 1, 2025
    Each district must submit a report on its emergency response system implementation to the Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction (OSPI)

  • Statewide Report Due: December 1, 2025
    OSPI will compile district reports and deliver a summary to the Legislature