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 Paid Leave to Vote Amendment Act and the 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: 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 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 marycheh.com or by emailing [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: 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 WAMU, The City Paper, WTOP, and the 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 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.
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