Legislation has been moving at both the State and Federal level in an effort to offer some relief to individuals and organizations as we continue to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic.
Below is a summary of what has passed and what is anticipated to be passed and the impact on providers.
State Level COVID-19 Legislation
House File 4531 was passed by the Minnesota legislature on Thursday. The bill is the state’s second package of relief funding and totals $330 million in spending. You can review the full bill text here, items that are of particular impact to providers include:
COVID-19 Minnesota Fund
A COVID-19 fund is created to pay expenditures related to the peacetime emergency declared by the governor. Money may be disbursed to agencies to:
- Protect Minnesota citizens from the COVID-19 outbreak
- Maintain state government operations throughout the duration of the peacetime emergency
Transfers to Small Business Emergency Loan Program
$30 million is transferred to the Small Business Emergency Loan Program to make loans as set forth in Governor’s Executive Order 2015, Providing Immediate Relief to Small Businesses During the COVID-19 Peacetime Emergency.
Delayed Submission of Fingerprints Authorized
Upon a declaration of a peacetime emergency, the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension may delay the submission of fingerprints needed to perform a statutorily authorized background check on an essential worker.
An essential worker granted a delay in the submission of fingerprints must submit fingerprints in compliance with the applicable statute within 30 days after the peacetime emergency ceases or the temporary dealy granted under the section expires, whichever occurs earlier.
Peacetime Emergency Child Care Grants
The legislation allocates $30 million in grants to child care eligible programs. In order for programs to receive these dollars they must prioritize space in their programs for children of essential workers as identified in Executive Order 20-19.
As a reminder, ARRM was able to confirm with the Department of Human Services that children of Direct Support Professionals would qualify for childcare under this Executive Order.
Federal COVID-19 CARES Act
In addition to the activity happening on the state level, late Wednesday evening the United States Senate passed the COVID-19 relief CARES Act legislation. It is anticipated that the House will convene at 9:00 am on Friday to vote on the bill.
Below is a brief summary, prepared by ANCOR, of items that are included in the bill that will have an impact on providers. We will be providing more detail as soon as we receive it.
- Money Follows the Person extended through 11/30/2020
- ANCOR’s Hospital bill, which would allow states to authorize the payment of Direct Support Professionals to be reimbursed when supporting individuals during hospital stays is included and expanded to all 1915 and all 1115 waivers
- Emergency Small Business Administration 7(a) loans of up to $10M available to help maintain operations (payroll, mortgage, rent, utilities and certain debt payments) for entities that existed on March 1, 2020. Employers that maintain employment between March 1 and June 30 would be eligible to have their loans forgiven. Available to small businesses, Section 501(c)(3)s, Section 501(c)(19)s and Tribal businesses of 500 total employees or fewer.
- $100B Public Health Emergency Fund – We have heard from multiple offices that Congressional intent was for DSPs to be included in this pot of money. We are working on an immediate regulatory strategy to make sure this is codified in guidance.
- $200M in ACL grants to supportive services to prepare for and respond to COVID-19 – In conversations with ACL, they have signaled their intent to use these funds for DSP stabilization.
- The U.S. Department of Treasury's Exchange Stabilization Fund to create a loan guarantee program for major industries. Over $400B would be available to an eligible business, defined as "a United States business that has not otherwise received economic relief in the form of loans or loan guarantees provided under" the CARES Act, and employs 501-10,000 people. It is possible certain nonprofits will qualify for this aid but we have not yet confirmed.
- The final agreement includes more than $150 billion that includes increased funding for hospitals and health systems, and billions more into critical investments such as personal and protective equipment for health care workers, testing supplies, increased workforce and training, new construction to house patients, an increase of the Strategic National Stockpile, medical research into COVID-19.