April 2020

Coronavirus Update: Additional Emergency Legislation

Dear Neighbors,

Today, the Council convened the first-ever virtual Legislative Meeting.
While we were able to conduct some normal legislative business (my [1]Paid
Leave to Vote Amendment Act and the [2]Ivory and Horn Trafficking
Prohibition Act passed on second reading, for example), the main purpose of
the meeting was to pass the second piece of emergency legislation in
response to the many local challenges and economic consequences resulting
from the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. Among many provisions,
this legislation provides important protections for homeowners and renters,
supports mail-in voting for the special and primary elections, and accounts
for safer government functions during the public health emergency. I've
listed many of the bill's main provisions below, but for the legislation in
full, please see: [3]COVID-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Amendment
Act.

This new emergency bill is comprehensive and responsive to many resident
and business needs—but it is not perfect. One area of great disappointment
for me was the removal of a provision to provide financial support to
members of our undocumented immigrant community, those who work and greatly
contribute to the District but who do not otherwise qualify for
unemployment insurance. I'm also interested in ensuring protections for our
grocery store, pharmacy, and food processing workers whose jobs are
essential, yet place them at great risk of COVID-19 exposure. These
protections should ultimately include access to personal protective
equipment (PPE), free COVID-19 testing, and childcare. And, if possible,
additional funds should be identified for another round of relief grants
for our small and local businesses. My Council colleagues and the Executive
have voiced that they share in my commitment to address these issues, so
the work on these matters will continue. Ultimately, while there is much
more to be done, this second piece of emergency legislation is the product
of a strong collaborative effort, and I encourage residents to continue to
raise issues and offer policy suggestions to me and my staff as the public
health emergency continues.

Regards,

Mary

Please see [4]coronavirus.dc.gov for the latest District updates &
resources on COVID-19

If you know someone who would like to receive these updates directly, he or
she may sign up through [5]marycheh.com or by emailing
[6][email protected]

COVID-19 Response Supplemental Emergency Amendment Act

Many of the provisions and protections listed below will go into effect
immediately while others that are programmatic in nature will need time for
implementation. If you have any questions about any of the protections list
below, please feel free to contact my office at (202) 724-8062 to speak
with our legislative staff.

Housing Protections for Renters & Homeowners:
* Lenders will be required to offer mortgage payment deferral programs to
allow borrowers to delay payment for at least 90 days. Lenders are also
prohibited from charging late fees and issuing negative reports to credit
bureaus. Borrowers will be able to apply for this relief for the length
of the public health emergency plus 60 days.
* Rent increases are prohibited during the public health emergency, even
when the notice of the increase was noticed before the emergency. It should
be noted that even with this new renter protection, this is not a "rent
holiday"
* Cable service providers and telecommunication services (including phone
and internet services) are prohibited from disconnecting service (although
service may be reduced to a basic package) during the public health
emergency and for 15 days after
* The Office of the Attorney General is directed to create a Consumer
Funeral Bill of Rights to inform consumers of required pricing disclosures
and other consumer rights for funeral services
* Debt collection is also prohibited during public health emergency

Local Businesses & Worker Supports:
* Clarifies that there is no work search requirement for those applying
for unemployment insurance compensation. The emergency also provides
further assistance for those filing for unemployment insurance
* Clarifies that, per the recently passed federal CARES Act, all
employers are required to provide their employees with paid sick leave for
up to a total of 14 days
* The fines and penalties for price gauging and stockpiling are now
doubled
* Additionally, the Committee on Labor & Workforce Development has put
together an updated unemployment insurance guide: [7]Here

Modifications for Safer Government Operations:
* Permits the Mayor to implement rules to allow remote and electronic
notarization
* Requires the Board of Elections to mail every eligible voter an
application for an absentee ballot (including a prepaid postage envelope),
including for the special election in Ward 2
* Provides the courts are with the authority to grant compassionate
release to certain individuals convicted of felony offenses who are not
determined to be a safety concern
* The Chief Financial Officer has been provided with vital borrowing
authority. This provides the District with a backstop to access to
additional funds to continue government operations
* Creates a voluntary extension for youth under the DC Child and Family
Services Agency who would otherwise age out of a foster placement during
the public health emergency

For more on the remote meeting and emergency legislation, please see
[8]WAMU, [9]The City Paper, [10]WTOP, and the [11]Washington Business
Journal.

Our Office is Open!

Connect with our staff - While Councilmember Cheh's physical office is
closed during the public health emergency, she and her staff are
teleworking and will remain accessible for residents.

You may continue to [12]email the office directly or reach us via phone
through our main line at (202) 724-8062 with legislative ideas, budget
requests, and constituent services requests.

[13]Facebook [14]Twitter

FOLLOW MARY

References

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