Important Updates – Employee & Labor Issues

The U.S. Department of Labor has issued new COBRA notices for employee benefit plans. The press releases detailing these notices can be found HERE.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released guidance for restaurants and beverage vendors offering take-out or curbside pick-up options. You can view the guidance HERE.

The New York State Attorney General’s office has released a bulletin regarding the Paycheck Protection Program in multiple languages. The bulletin can be found HERE.

During the Friday, May 1 press conference, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced both grade schools and colleges, would remain closed in New York for the remainder of the school year. The decision on summer schools being allowed to operate will be made at the end of May, and will be made in conjunction with the decision to reopen regions. The governor also called for schools to develop plans that take into account the new social distancing guidelines. These plans would be used to reopen the schools at the beginning of the next school year.

Governor Cuomo announced the state is directing insurers to waive all cost sharing, co-pays, and deductibles for mental health services for front-line workers.

Eviction and foreclosure.

A decision on whether to extend or end the eviction and foreclosure order will be made in June, according to Governor Cuomo.

New York State and six others announced a joint multi-state agreement to develop a regional supply chain for personal protective equipment, other medical equipment and testing.

CLICK HERE for Press Release