COVID-19 Prompts Georgia to Adopt Emergency Rules on Unemployment that Penalize Employer Non-Compliance
3/23/20
By: Andrew Kim
In response to COVID-19, on March 16, 2020, the Georgia Department of Labor adopted emergency rules making it a requirement for employers affected by COVID-19 to file partial unemployment claims on behalf of their employees. Barring subsequent …
California Department of Insurance Orders All California Health Insurers to Submit Filing and to Ensure Services to Insureds Displaced by COVID-19
3/20/20
By: Kristin Ingulsrud
California Insurance Code section 10112.95(a) provides that insureds displaced by a declared state of emergency shall have access to medically necessary health care services. In light of Governor Gavin Newsom’s state of emergency proclamation and the continued …
California Department of Insurance Issues COVID-19 Bulletins Addressing (i) 60-Day Grace Period for Premiums; Expiration of Drivers Licenses; (ii) Alternative Payment Methods; and (iii) Accounting for Extraordinary Circumstances in Evaluating Claims Handling
3/20/20
By: Zach Moura
California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara issued three notices to insurers on March 18, 2020 related to the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19), all aimed at ameliorating the pandemic’s impact on the both insurers and insureds.
The first notice …
HHS Waives Some HIPAA Sanctions During the Coronavirus Pandemic
3/20/20
By: David Cole
The HHS Office for Civil Rights (OCR) issued two important bulletins this week in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Each one announced that OCR will temporarily waive certain sanctions and penalties for noncompliance with HIPAA Rules to …
U.S. Department of Labor Issues COVID-19 Guidance on FLSA and FMLA
3/20/20
By: Catherine Scott
As the federal government continues to grapple with questions from employers regarding COVID-19, the federal agencies have begun to roll out new guidance. The latest comes from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), which has issued guidance …
COVID-19 Closes Schools Across the United States: United States Department of Education Releases New Guidance for Schools During Coronavirus Outbreak
3/19/20
By: Tia J. Combs
Many schools across the county have closed or are operating virtually due to the COVID-19 outbreak. On March 12, 2020, the US Department of Education released two documents with new guidance for schools and educators faced …
Coronavirus Lawsuit Seeking Coverage is Filed in Louisiana
3/18/20
By: Philip W. Savrin and Erin Lamb
The first in what is bound to be a virtual tsunami of coverage lawsuits arising from the spread of the Coronavirus was filed in New Orleans this week by a restaurant in the …
State and Federal Motor Vehicle Exemptions related to COVID-19
3/18/20
By: Josh Ferguson
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) issued a national emergency declaration and in doing so provided a limited exemption from driver safety regulatory requirements. The exemption applies “for motor carriers and drivers engaged in the transport …
New Jersey and New York Signal Intent to Force Coverage for COVID-19 Business Losses; Other States Will Follow Suit
3/16/20
By: Erin Lamb and Marc Shrake
Both New Jersey and New York have taken steps toward attempting to force coverage of business losses related to COVID-19. In New Jersey, Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald and Assemblyman Roy Reiman have introduced …
COVID-19: What Medical Inquiries Can Employers Make?
3/16/20
By: Jennifer Markowski
Last week, Brad Adler, addressed FAQ’s (and Answers) for Employers Dealing with the Coronavirus, COVID-19. Subsequent to that article, on March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization (“WHO”) declared COVID-19 a pandemic. Consequently, employers should follow …