ORLANDO, Fla. — “Miya’s Law,” which aims to improve tenant safety in apartments has passed through both chambers of the Florida legislature.
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The Bill now sits on Governor Ron DeSantis’ desk, waiting to be signed in to law.
Sponsored by Orlando Senator Linda Stewart, the bill would require apartment landlords to perform background checks on new employees.
The bill also “reinforces requirements regarding access to individual units” and increases the required notice to 24 hours.
It’s named for former Valencia College student Miya Marcano, who was found murdered in Orlando last October.
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Investigators said Armando Caballero, a maintenance worker at Arden Villas Apartments where Marcano lived, kidnapped and killed Marcano after gaining access to her apartment using his master key.
“Today marks an important milestone for Miya’s law and brings us us one step closer to establishing vital protections for renters,” Sen. Stewart said in a statement. “Although Miya’s family will never get justice and nothing can bring back their daughter, I do hope with the passing of Miya’s Law, this will bring some peace to the family and knowing that their daughter’s death was not in vain.”
Violations of the law would be considered criminal “disregard for the safety of others,” which could be a felony or first-degree misdemeanor.
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“This bill will not bring Miya back, but is will bring a greater sense of security for Florida’s 2 million renters,” The House Sponsor of the Bill Representative Robin Bartleman (D-Weston) added. “This session has been so divisive, but when it comes to the safety of Floridians, of our college students moving into their first apartment, or our seniors residing in apartment communities, this Legislature takes swift, bipartisan action. I urge Governor DeSantis to honor Miya’s name and sign this potentially lifesaving legislation into law.”
If signed by Governor DeSantis, Miya’s Law would go into effect on July 1.
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