Executive Summary
- The ‘Ya Ya Alert Act’ is named after 9-year-old T’Yonna Major, a victim of the 2023 Orange County shootings.
- The bill (HB 715 / SB 814) proposes real-time alerts for schools and residents within three miles of an active threat.
- Sponsors Rep. RaShon Young and Sen. Shevrin Jones liken the system to Amber Alerts for immediate shelter-in-place warnings.
- The legislation has not yet been heard in committee despite the ongoing 60-day session.
Family members of 9-year-old T’Yonna Major gathered at the Florida State Capitol on Wednesday to advocate for the “Ya Ya Alert Act,” proposed legislation aiming to establish a statewide rapid notification system following the deadly 2023 Orange County shooting spree. The measure, if passed, would mandate real-time alerts for educational institutions and residents in the vicinity of active threats.
Supported by Moms Demand Action and the Ya Ya Dream Foundation, the bill seeks to implement immediate warnings for schools, daycares, and homes located within a three-mile radius of a serious, active threat. The legislation is named in honor of T’Yonna “Ya Ya” Major, who was killed alongside 38-year-old Nathacha Augustin and Spectrum News 13 reporter Dylan Lyons in a series of shootings that impacted the Pine Hills community in 2023.
“And this is why we must protect our children, and that’s what ‘Ya Ya’ Alert is about, and that’s what ‘Ya Ya’ Alert will help do is save our kids,” said Brandi Major, the victim’s mother, during the press conference. Angel Brantley, T’Yonna’s aunt, underscored the urgency of the initiative, stating, “Your kids bury you. That’s not what is happening right now. We have to stop that.”
State Representative RaShon Young, a sponsor of House Bill 715, described the event as a “clarion call” to urge legislative colleagues to advance the bill. State Senator Shevrin Jones, who introduced the companion Senate Bill 814 titled “Emergency Alerts,” emphasized the risks posed by communication gaps during emergencies. Jones noted that without immediate alerts, parents often drop off children and teachers open classrooms while unaware of nearby dangers. “Every minute without an alert is a minute where parents are dropping off their kids… without knowing what’s happening just blocks away,” Jones said.
Representative Young compared the proposed mechanism to an Amber Alert, designed to instruct locals to shelter in place immediately. Young clarified that the alert is not intended to impede law enforcement operations. “We’re not trying to slow down their progress as they’re trying to apprehend someone… We’re just saying let’s make a change to honor the legacy of Ya Ya,” Young stated.
Legislative Outlook
Despite the advocacy from the victims’ families, the legislation faces significant procedural hurdles. With more than two weeks of the 60-day legislative session already concluded, neither the House nor Senate versions of the bill have been heard in any legislative committee. This stagnation indicates potential challenges in prioritizing the mandate within the current session’s agenda. If the bill fails to secure a committee hearing soon, the proposal risks expiring, which would delay any implementation of the enhanced community warning system until the next legislative cycle.
