Coronavirus (COVID-19)

May 8, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Interim CDC Guidance Lays Out Business Plans to Reopen Certain Sectors During COVID-19 Pandemic

As states and communities begin the process of reopening in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released business plans to provide interim guidance to certain programs and industries during the reopening process. The CDC released its proposed business plans for the following programs and industries: child care programs; schools and day camps; communities of faith; employers with vulnerable workers; restaurants and bars; and mass transit administrators.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 8, 2020 by Duane Morris

Recent USCIS, DHS, DOS and DOL Changes in Response to COVID-19

As the COVID-19 pandemic drags on, several governmental entities have recently made further updates to their policies and operations. Last week, USCIS announced that for certain types of requests for evidence and notices (such as Notices of Intent to Deny or Revoke) as well as appeals issued between March 1 and July 1, 2020, inclusive, USCIS will consider responses received within 60 calendar days after the response due date set in the request or notice before taking any action. In regard to the I-9 process, the Department of Homeland Security announced that, beginning May 1, 2020, Form I-9 List B identity documents set to expire on or after March 1, 2020, and not otherwise extended by the issuing authority, may be treated the same as if the employee presented a valid receipt for an acceptable document for Form I-9 purposes.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 8, 2020September 2, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Governor Issues Much-Anticipated Executive Order Extending Liability Protections for Healthcare Professionals Responding to COVID-19 Crisis

As the COVID-19 crisis continues to strain healthcare resources and professionals across the nation, Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolf has responded by extending liability protections for healthcare workers responding to the crisis.

To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 8, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Announces Emergency Assistance Program for Lower Income Families

Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller today announced on May 8, 2020, an Emergency Assistance Program (EAP) to help low-income families who lost wages and are experiencing financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Families who qualify will be eligible for a one-time payment to assist them in meeting basic needs and help them secure more stable financial footing in the future.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

May 8, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Funds and Loans Available for Businesses in New Jersey from NJEDA

The Southern NJ Chamber of Commerce that outlined the programs below and reminded me of the various non-COVID related programs that still exist and are open for assistance from the NJEDA.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

May 8, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Plan Allows Reopening of Construction, Vehicle Dealerships and Real Estate Industry

While Governor Wolf extended the “Stay at Home” order until June 4, 2020, by amendment to his earlier order, he also updated guidance on opening businesses in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania is employing a regional and industry-specific approach to reopening “non-life-sustaining” businesses.

To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

May 8, 2020September 1, 2020 by Duane Morris

Pennsylvania Extends Eviction and Moratorium Protections for Residential Transactions through July 10

Governor Tom Wolf was joined by Attorney General Josh Shapiro to announce that he signed an executive order that protects Pennsylvanians from foreclosures or evictions through July 10. The action builds on a Pennsylvania Supreme Court order which closed court eviction proceedings until May 11 and ensures no renter or homeowner will be removed from their home for 60 more days.

To read the full text of this blog post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.

May 7, 2020August 31, 2020 by Duane Morris

Federal Reserve Updates Main Street Lending Program Guidance

The Federal Reserve Board issued initial guidance regarding its Main Street Lending Program on April 9, 2020, as authorized under the Coronavirus Economic Stabilization Act (Title IV of the CARES Act). This original guidance established the broad brush parameters of the program, but was short on details, raising concerns among both borrowers and lenders about its eventual implementation. On April 30, in response to a flood of public comments, the Federal Reserve released updated guidance, containing substantially greater operational details. The new guidance both modified and supplemented the two previously announced facilities―the Main Street New Loan Facility and the Main Street Expanded Loan Facility―and added a third facility, the Main Street Priority Loan Facility, expanding the overall scope of the program.

To read the full text of this Alert, please visit the firm website.

May 7, 2020September 3, 2020 by Duane Morris

California Executive Order Presumes Employees Who Contract COVID-19 Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits

By Brooke B. Tabshouri

On May 6, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order No. N-62-20. The order states that employees will be presumed to have contracted COVID-19 in the course and scope of employment for purposes of workers’ compensation benefits if all of the following conditions are satisfied:

The employee contracts it within 14 days of performing labor at the employer’s direction and at the employer’s worksite;
If such work occurred on or after March 19, 2020;
The worksite was not the employee’s home; and
The positive test is confirmed by a physician within 30 days.

Continue reading “California Executive Order Presumes Employees Who Contract COVID-19 Are Eligible for Workers’ Compensation Benefits”

May 7, 2020 by Duane Morris

Massachusetts Attorney General Enjoined from Enforcing Regulations Prohibiting Debt Collection Activities During COVID-19 Emergency

By Charles Ognibene

We previously posted about the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Emergency Regulations limiting debt collection activities during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yesterday, the Massachusetts Federal District Court enjoined the Massachusetts Attorney General from enforcing those regulations to the extent they prohibit debt collectors from making telephone calls or initiating court actions. The court’s order is based largely on constitutional protection of free speech and does not address the provisions of the emergency regulation prohibiting repossessions. While repossessions were not before the court, note that a ban on repossessions could be supported by public health interests and the need to avoid personal interactions. Note also that the order applies to debt collectors, collecting debts of others, as that is the constituency of the plaintiff. It does not address whether the regulations should be struck as to creditors collecting their own debts in their own names, but one would expect that if a debt collector is permitted to do an act, a creditor should be so permitted as well.

For more information concerning the impact of COVID-19 on Massachusetts consumer financing regulations, contact Charles A. Ognibene, Mike Garcia or Mike Grant, all in Duane Morris’ Boston office.