Last week, we published several special bulletins covering COVID-19. Below are short summaries and links to the updates published since our last COVID-19 round up.
We will continue providing these special bulletins and updates as needed. Please visit https://www.lcwlegal.com/responding-to-COVID-19 for the most up-to-date bulletins.
Governor Newsom Amends Brown Act Changes in Subsequent Executive Order
On March 17, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-29-20. In addition to provisions regarding Medi-Cal, CalFresh and CalWORKs, the Order supersedes the changes to the Brown Act in his March 12, 2020 Executive Order.
Update: CalPERS Suspends Retired Annuitant Work Hour Limitation during COVID-19 Emergency
On March 4, 2020, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order N-25-20. The executive order, among other things, suspended certain restrictions applicable to retired annuitants. On March 18, 2020, the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (“CalPERS”) issued Circular Letter 200-015-20, which explains the restrictions that are suspended for the duration of the state of emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any hours worked by a retired annuitant to ensure adequate staffing during the state of emergency will not count toward the 960-hour per fiscal year limit. In addition, the 180-day wait period between retirement and returning to post-retirement employment will be suspended. Most other retired annuitant restrictions, including the limitations on permissible compensation and the prohibition of any benefits in addition to the hourly rate, remain in effect.
Families First Coronavirus Response Act Enacted Into Law
On March 18, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an effort to reduce the impact of the virus on American families, the Senate passed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act) and President Trump signed the bill into law a few hours later. The law will go into effect within 15 days of the President’s signature.
UPDATE, March 18, 2020, 9:09 a.m. House Passes Dramatically Revised Version Of Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Bill Finally Moves To Senate
On the evening of Monday, March 16, 2020, the House of Representatives passed a dramatically revised version of H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which the Senate received on March 17. Among the key changes to the bill is the significant limitation of the purposes for which employees may take Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Public Health Emergency Leave.
UPDATE, March 16, 2020, 5:49 p.m. Tax Credits for Private Employers in Families First Coronavirus Response Act
On March 14, 2020, at 12:51 am, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, and in an effort to reduce the impact of the virus on American families, the House of Representative passed H.R. 6201, titled the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (the Act). The bill will now move to the Senate, where it will be debated and voted upon. If the bill passes in the Senate, President Trump will likely sign the bill into law, as he released a statement on March 14, announcing his full support of the bill. It would become effective become effective within 15 days of the Act’s passage. We will presumably learn the effective date when it is passed.