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Category: Legal Insights

Newsroom image for the post CARES Act Loan FAQs for Nonprofits, Foundations and Small Businesses

Posted April 6, 2020 with Tags ,

CARES Act Loan FAQs for Nonprofits, Foundations and Small Businesses

The U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) on April 2, 2020, released an Interim Final Rule regarding how the agency will implement the “Paycheck Protection Program” of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The CARES Act also expands the SBA’s long-standing Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program (EIDL). We address some Frequently Asked Questions as to why nonprofits, foundations, and small businesses should be paying attention to these CARES Act loan programs.

Posted April 3, 2020 with Tags ,

How Manufacturers and Retailers Can Protect Themselves from Product Liability Exposure During COVID-19

The pandemic has forced many product manufacturers and retailers into unchartered territory. As COVID-19 progresses throughout the United States, it is affecting everything from the workforce, to supply chains, to even the availability of recall remedies. During these times of rapid change, it may be difficult for companies to remain diligent on product safety issues. However, product manufacturers and retailers can take a few steps to ensure they are protecting themselves not only now, but in the long-term, from product liability lawsuits or fines from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Newsroom image for the post DOL Issues Temporary Rule Interpreting Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

Posted April 3, 2020 with Tags ,

DOL Issues Temporary Rule Interpreting Paid Leave under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act

On April 1, 2020, the Department of Labor issued a temporary rule interpreting the Emergency Paid Sick Leave Act (“EPSLA”) and Emergency Family and Medical Leave Expansion Act (“EFMLEA”) found in the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA”). The unpublished rule includes over 80 pages of discussion followed by specific guidance on key aspects of the FFCRA’s paid leave requirements, including the scope of exemptions for small employers, calculations of leave benefits for part-time employees, and notice and certification requirements. For the most part, the regulations mirror the FAQs recently released by the DOL.

Newsroom image for the post Convenient Summary of Minnesota “Stay at Home” Executive Order 20-20

Posted March 26, 2020 with Tags , , ,

Convenient Summary of Minnesota “Stay at Home” Executive Order 20-20

In response to the enduring COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz signed Emergency Executive Order 20-20 on March 25, 2020. The Governor’s order directs Minnesotans to remain at home, work remotely if possible, and limit their outside activities to those that are essential. The order also contains exemptions for businesses that are part of certain “critical sectors,” as defined in the order. Executive Order 20-20 takes effect on Friday, March 27, 2020 at 11:59 p.m. and will remain in effect for two weeks, until Friday, April 10, 2020 at 5:00 p.m., unless extended.

Posted March 25, 2020 with Tags ,

Can Nonprofits Use Their Endowment Funds to Assist Communities in the wake of COVID-19?

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact all corners of life both locally and nationally, we have received questions from our nonprofit clients regarding the use of their endowment funds to help support their targeted communities.  In addition to a quick review of Minnesota’s endowment fund law, we provide some action items to consider when faced with these spending decisions.

Newsroom image for the post New York Employers: New COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law Explained

Posted March 20, 2020 with Tags , , ,

New York Employers: New COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave Law Explained

On March 18, 2020, the New York State Assembly passed and Governor Cuomo signed into law a response to the novel coronavirus that provides certain employees sick leave and job protection in the event they are subject to quarantine or isolation due to an order by a public health official. The new law also expands protections to certain employees under the New York Paid Family Leave and the New York disability benefits law to provide some measure of salary continuation during a quarantine or isolation order period.

Posted March 18, 2020 with Tags , ,

COVID-19 FAQs for Employers: Update on Temporary Closures, Layoffs, and Leaves of Absence

In the last few days, Minnesota has closed schools, restaurants, theaters, fitness centers, and other gathering places (Emergency Executive Orders 20-02 and 20-04). Minnesota has also started to provide much-needed relief to Minnesota employers and employees facing the immediate loss of work because of COVID-19 (Emergency Executive Order 20-05), including making unemployment benefits immediately accessible rather than requiring a one-week waiting period for out-of-work individuals. Below, we answer some frequently asked questions we have received since these orders were issued.

Posted March 17, 2020 with Tags ,

Minnesota Nonprofits and COVID-19: Special Considerations for Unemployment Insurance

With Emergency Executive Order 20-05, Minnesota Governor Walz provided much-needed relief to Minnesota employers and employees facing immediate loss of work because of COVID-19. The March 16th Order waives the one-week waiting period before individuals can be considered eligible for unemployment and relaxes otherwise strict requirements to maximize the chances that unemployed and underemployed workers receive benefits quickly

Posted March 12, 2020 with Tags , ,

Coronavirus FAQs for Employers

The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has created significant workplace concerns for U.S. employers. Companies are balancing the need to continue their operations against the desire to keep their employees safe. The Frequently Asked Questions below, and those answered by Courtney Blanchard on this news broadcast, address some of the more difficult employment law-related issues that have arisen as employers confront the coronavirus threat.

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