View this email in a browser

In This Update:

• Senate Passes COVID-19 Emergency Measures for Local Governments
• State Warns of COVID-19 Stimulus Check Scams
• More Support Coming for Long-Term Care Homes
• Guidance Issued on Building Safety and Maintenance During COVID-19 Pandemic
• Volunteer Fire Departments Eligible for Federal Loan Programs UPDATED
• Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program Now Open
• Background Check Requirements Temporarily Eased for Employees Serving Older Pennsylvanians

Senate Passes COVID-19 Emergency Measures for Local Governments

Local governments have faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Senate approved a bill this week that will help local governments respond to the coronavirus crisis.

The bill would:

• Allow local governments to provide greater flexibility on property tax deadlines.
• Permit local governments to conduct remote meetings and conduct other business remotely during the governor’s disaster declaration.
• Give notaries emergency authorization to notarize documents remotely through the use of communications technology.
• Provide additional time for businesses to contribute to educational scholarship programs in order to earn tax credits.
• Reauthorize the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council and require the panel to complete a report on the effect of the COVID-19 disaster emergency on healthcare facilities, including expenses and lost revenue during the crisis to determine additional financial assistance.

More details about the bill are available here. 

State Warns of COVID-19 Stimulus Check Scams

The state Departments of Revenue and Banking and Securities are warning Pennsylvanians about phishing scams targeting people who are expecting a stimulus payment from the federal government.

The Internal Revenue Service has reported seeing a surge of scam artists perpetrating phishing schemes in which they pose as government officials to trick people into turning over their banking information.

Pennsylvanians should never give direct deposit or other banking information to anyone who contacts them on the phone, through email or text messages, or on social media. More details about this scam are available here. 

More Support Coming for Long-Term Care Homes

ECRI, an independent non-profit health services company, will offer individualized infection control and prevention assistance to long-term care facilities throughout the state to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Department of Health will coordinate with ECRI to evaluate how facilities are currently working to maximize resources and to provide support for facilities. More information is available here. 

Guidance Issued on Building Safety and Maintenance During COVID-19 Pandemic

The Department of Health recently offered guidance for life-sustaining businesses to clean and maintain their facilities during the current public health emergency. Some of the directions include cleaning and disinfecting high-touch areas, maintaining existing cleaning protocols, and ensuring each facility has sufficient employees to maintain safety and control building access.

The full order from the Department of Health is available here. 

Volunteer Fire Departments Eligible for Federal Loan Programs UPDATED

UPDATE: IRC 501(c)(4) status fire companies and other IRC 501(c)(4) organizations are NOT eligible for Paycheck Protection Program loans, but they do qualify for Emergency Injury Disaster Loans.

Under the federal CARES Act, volunteer fire departments are eligible for two types of federal loans: Emergency Injury Disaster Loans and Paycheck Protection Program loans.

For volunteer fire departments with IRC 501(c)(3) or IRC 501(c)(4) status, Emergency Injury Disaster Loans may be used to pay fixed debts, payroll, accounts payable and other costs. If approved, EIDLs provide up to $2 million for working capital, have a 2.75% interest rate for non-profits, and can be repaid over 30 years. 

Volunteer departments organized as a private non-profit [IRC 501(c)(3) and IRC 501(c)(19)] that pay firefighters are also eligible for the Paycheck Protection Program. This loan is designed to provide a direct incentive for small businesses and non-profits to keep their workers on the payroll.  Loans are forgiven if all employees are kept on the payroll for eight weeks and the money is used for payroll, rent, mortgage interest, or utilities.

Volunteer Fire Company Grant Program Now Open

Volunteer fire companies serving rural areas and communities with fewer than 10,000 residents can apply now for grants of up to $10,000 for training and equipment purchases directly related to fighting brush and forest fires. Grant applications are due May 21 by 4 p.m.

More details about the Volunteer Fire Assistance Grant Program are available at https://www.grants.dcnr.state.pa.us/Dashboard/VFAGrants.

Background Check Requirements Temporarily Eased for Employees Serving Older Pennsylvanians

COVID-19 mitigation has severely impacted the ability of many employees serving older Pennsylvanians to receive the necessary background checks that are legally required in order for an individual to start working in that environment. The Department of Aging recently announced that applicants who need an FBI background check can be provisionally employed for up to 90 days after applying for a criminal history report.

More information about these criminal background checks is available here.

Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe

2024 © Senate of Pennsylvania | https://www.senatorlangerholc.com | Privacy Policy