March 2020

Coronavirus Update: Emergency Legislation Passes Council

Dear Neighbors,

Today, the Council unanimously passed the "[1]COVID-19 Emergency Amendment
Act of 2020" to better enable the District to respond immediately to the
ever-changing conditions of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
pandemic. The legislation is the result of extensive coordination between
the Council, Mayor, agency staff, Budget Office, and the critical input
provided by residents and small businesses who have already felt the
effects of closures and economic uncertainty.

As we have seen over the past few weeks, the circumstances of this public
health emergency are constantly changing. And, while this may be the first
legislative effort, it most certainly will not be the last. This emergency
legislation provides the Council with the authority to vote remotely, and
that change will enable us to make legislative adjustments during this
rapidly evolving situation while also heeding DC Health's social distancing
and safety guidelines. On that note, please keep my staff and me updated as
new issues and problems present themselves and please help us widely share
the new provisions and protections listed below—especially so that those
residents and businesses in need may take advantage of them:

COVID-19 Emergency Amendment Act of 2020

Protections for Residents
* Prohibits all evictions or loss of public benefits
* Prohibits utilities (gas, water, and electric) from disconnecting
service
* Establishes limitations on price gauging and stockpiling of supplies
* Extends TOPA deadlines
* Prohibits landlords from charging late fees
* Enables District agencies to extend the validity of licenses,
registrations, and other certifications—such as drivers’ licenses—to
eliminate the need for residents to visit agency offices in-person

Supporting Small Businesses & Workers
* Expands unemployment protections for those who, for whatever
reason, are unable to work—this includes those employees who are
quarantined, self-quarantined, or whose work has reduced or closed
operations entirely during the public health emergency
* Establishes a small business grant program to provide financial relief
for businesses, non-profits, and independent contractors effected by the
public health emergency—this includes grants for employee wages and
benefits, operating costs, and the repayment of small business loans
* Allows businesses to defer February and March sales taxes until July
20th, 2020
* Permits sealed beer and wine deliveries as part of the new carryout,
delivery, or grab-and-go restaurant requirements

Public Health Efforts
* Authorizes pharmacists to issue larger refills of prescription drugs to
ensure residents have access to their medications
* Expands the Mayor's authority under the Public Emergencies Act
* Enables the Mayor to declare a public health emergency for up to 30
days and to extend the emergency in 30 day increments with Council approval

There are additional provisions of the bill that are not listed above. For
the legislation in its entirety, please see: [2]B23-0718, the "COVID-19
Response Emergency Amendment Act of 2020."

Regards,

Mary

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Mary Cheh
Mary Cheh Ward 3
1350 Pennsylvania Avenue NWSuite 108
Washington, DC 20004
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