FROM THE STATEHOUSE
LEGISLATIVE UPDATE M By State Representative Robin Bartleman
iya’s Law
Miya Marcano was a 19-yearold college student from Pembroke Pines who was tragically killed at her apartment in September of this year. Police believe the killer was a maintenance worker employed by the apartment, who, despite having a criminal record, was able to attain a master key to gain access to the apartment. Following her tragic death, I filed HB 577 to ensure renters are provided with the protection all Floridians deserve. This legislation, named “Miya’s Law”, requires national background screenings including a criminal history record such as sexual predator and sexual offender registries. The bill also strengthens requirements regarding access to individual units, increasing the required notice to 24 hours and requiring apartments to establish policies for the issuance and return of all keys and maintain a key log to Year Award for protecting our public schools. ensure that access is only given to authorized Last year, too many of our teachers and students individuals at authorized times. Miya’s parents, lost family members, faced housing and food like all parents who have their children in rental insecurity, were quarantined, and dealt with apartments, had the expectation Miya would be mental health issues due to COVID-19. It was safe and come home. Miya’s Law will extend a simply not the time to implement high-stakes greater sense of personal security and saftey in tests. In response, I proposed legislation to the homes of over 2 million renters in our state. suspend the sanctions and penalties associated with standardized testing during the 2020Awarded Legislator of the Year 2021 school year. My bill started a statewide I am honored to have received the Florida conversation that helped lead to the Florida School Board Association’s Legislator of the Department of Education issuing Emergency
Order 2021-EO-02. Thank you to all of the school administrators, staff, teachers, and parents who supported this critical legislation and for all they do for our students.
Vote- By- Mail Info
Floridians who have been voting for decades have called my office about a letter they received from the Broward Supervisor of Elections. If you have concerns about receiving this letter, please call the Supervisor of Elections immediately at (954) 357-VOTE (8683) to see if you need to update your information in order to request a vote- by- mail ballot. If you vote by mail, make sure that you request your ballot each general election cycle as per the new law. Visit www.browardvotes.gov to check your voter status, request a Vote-By-Mail ballot, track your ballot, and learn everything you need to make your vote count.
Happy Holidays! Happy Holidays! While the coronavirus makes it difficult to celebrate in person with family and friends this holiday season, it also makes it all the more important to express your gratitude to the ones you love. So whether it is around the dinner table or over zoom, share with your loved ones how grateful you are for their presence in your life. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season. Love,
Robin, Bartleman
December 2021 / OurCityMedia.com / 39
