Florida lawmakers are weighing a proposed bill that aims to create a real-time emergency alert system for schools and childcare facilities when an imminent threat is identified. According to FOX 35 Orlando, named the "Yaya Act," after the tragic death of 9-year-old T'Yonna Major, who was shot by a murder suspect in 2023, the bill has been filed in both the state House and Senate, with House Bill 715 introduced by Rep. Rashon Young and its companion, SB 814, by State Senator Shevrin Jones.
The system, also known as a "Ya Ya Alert," would be triggered if certain criteria are met, such as a person being killed or seriously injured by another person who then flees the scene of the offense. According to information from ClickOrlando, if law enforcement determines the suspect poses an imminent threat to public safety, a Ya Ya Alert would be sent to educational institutions within a 3-mile radius to lock down and be on the lookout for suspicious activity. Rep. Young emphasized, "This is about life and death for our children, and it is about prioritizing their safety."
The measures outlined in the proposed legislation were influenced by the heartbreaking circumstances that concluded T'Yonna Major's life. As she returned home from school, a suspect allegedly involved in a nearby killing entered her house and began shooting, according to details shared by FOX 35 Orlando. T'Yonna's mother survived the attack, but T'Yonna and two others did not. The suspect also killed a news reporter before being captured by law enforcement.
This bill is a response not only to T'Yonna's tragedy but also to a broader concern for child safety in the face of escalating local violence. "This legislation, this work that we are doing in the Yaya Act is about honoring Yaya's legacy," Rep. Young stated, as per FOX 35 Orlando. T'Yonna's aunt, Angel Grantley, expressed optimism for the alert system's potential in an interview, saying, "If this was in play, the school would have been on lockdown. My sister wouldn't have been able to go pick [T’Yonna] up." She hopes that the system can help to mitigate the domino effect of violence and protect communities.
The specifics on how the alerts would be implemented or what technology would be utilized have yet to be detailed. However, if passed without objection, the Yaya Act and its corresponding alert system could become operational as early as October 2026.
