'Miya's Law' to tighten apartment security introduced after 19-year-old's murder

Central Florida Public Media | By Abe Aboraya

Published November 16, 2021 at 6:45 AM EST

This photo provided by Orange County Sheriff's Office shows Miya Marcano in Orlando, Fla. The sheriff's office says she disappeared Friday shortly after 27-year-old maintenance worker Armando Caballero was seen letting himself into her apartment with a master key.

Lawmakers want apartment complexes to do more to protect tenants after the death of Miya Marcano.

19-year-old Marcano was murdered earlier this year. Police say a maintenance worker who later killed himself used a master key fob to get into her apartment.

Orlando Senator Linda Stewart filed Senate Bill 898 Friday. If passed, the measure would require apartments to run nationwide criminal background checks on all employees.

But the law stops short of forbidding apartments from hiring people with a criminal background. Stewart said apartment complexes would be risking a civil lawsuit if they knowingly hired someone with a criminal record.

“It is in their benefit not to hire somebody because they will have a civil lawsuit on their hands if they do,” Stewart said. “I hope it will go a long way to creating a more safer environment. The background check is going to be paramount in making sure no one is hired who has a violent background.”

The bill would also require apartments to keep logs of master keys and give tenants more notice before owners can enter apartments.

Stewart said lawmakers talked about requiring apartment complexes to have electronic key-fob access – but ultimately backed down from that.

“Making everyone switch over to a different type of security thing was, we thought, a bit much,” Stewart said.

The bill is sponsored by Robin Bartleman in the House. SB 898 would need to get passage through three committees before going to a vote from the full chamber.

The bill would also give tenants more notice before owners can enter apartments. It applies to apartments with five or more units, but does not apply to dormitories.

In a press release, the Miya Marcano Foundation endorsed the bill.

“On behalf of the Miya Marcano Foundation, we thank you for your continued support,” said Yma Suling Scarbriel, Miya’s Mother and Marlon Marcano, Miya’s Father. “Our daughter meant the world to us. Although we still mourn the loss of Miya, we are sincerely grateful to everyone who has come together to help our family get Miya’s Law filed within the state of Florida. We firmly believe that passing ‘Miya’s Law’ will save lives. It is our hope that law makers on both sides unanimously vote to pass ‘Miya’s Law.’ Our daughter’s law can potentially save your daughter or loved one’s life, so when you go to vote, please think of Miya.”