Although Representative Daryl Campbell (D- Fort Lauderdale) is the Florida Legislature’s newest member, he has made it a point to be active and vocal on and off the House floor on key issues. Last week, Representative Campbell filed to cosponsor four bills, two of which honor the lives of young Floridians who passed away recently.
HB 577 “Miya’s Law” was drafted in response to the murder of 19-year-old Valencia College student Miya Marcano. This bill intends to change the security, communication, and privacy requirements of housing facilities and apartment buildings that serve at least a 60% student population. One of the many things this bill would do is require expanded national background checks for all employees of these facilities.
HB 701 “Ethan’s Law” was named after Ethan Isaacs, a sixth-grader who went sailing with his youth group on Sarasota Bay, but was tragically killed after a motorboat lost control. The bill calls for additional safety education courses, examinations, and requires instructors of water sports & activities to wear engine cutoff switches at all times.
“These pieces of legislation are extremely impactful in protecting all Floridians, and were drafted in direct response to tragedies that should have never happened in the first place. I have had the honor of speaking to the Marcano and Isaacs families in the last week, first to offer my condolences, but also to let them know that I am a strong supporter of both bills. Both Miya’s and Ethan’s Law are meant to protect all Floridians, especially our children.
Florida is a beautiful state, in many ways, especially our waterways. Ethan’s Law makes our state better by making our waters safer for everyone who seeks to enjoy it. Miya’s Law makes our college and university campuses and communities safer for everyone by establishing requirements that will make working or living in a student housing facility/apartment building that much safer for all those involved.
Both HB 577 & HB 701 will prevent similar tragedies from occurring, further protecting families across the state, and adding to the legacy that these two young Floridians left with their families and their communities,” said Representative Campbell (D-Fort Lauderdale).
