State and Federal COVID-19 Resources

Beck Reed Riden LLP is gathering resources on recent state and federal action in response to the spread of COVID-19. Below are some recent updates.

Federal government enacts legislation regarding COVID-19 affecting employment (March 18):

• Congress passed and the President signed H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, on March 18, 2020, with provisions effective within 15 days.  The Act includes expanded FMLA for eligible employees who are unable to work (or telework) due to a need to care for a minor child if the child’s school or place of childcare is closed or unavailable due to a COVID-19 emergency, and provides for two weeks of paid sick leave in many COVID-19 related circumstances.

Governmental Resources and Guidance:

Federal Guidance

• Department of Labor, COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers
• SBA, Coronavirus (COVID-19): Small Business Guidance & Loan Resources
• CDC, Interim Guidance for Businesses and Employers
• OSHA, Guidance on Preparing the Workplace for COVID-19

National resources

• National Conference of State Legislatures, State Action on Coronavirus (COVID-19): COVID-19 Related Legislation

Massachusetts Guidance

• COVID-19 Guidance and Directives, Businesses and Employers
• COVID-19 Resources and Guidance for Businesses
• Information on Unemployment and Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Massachusetts COVID-19 unemployment information
• IMPORTANT EMPLOYEE and EMPLOYER INFORMATION RELATED TO COVID-19 and UNEMPLOYMENT (March 17, 2020)
• Massachusetts Attorney General Fair Labor Division, Frequently Asked Questions About COVID-19: Employee Rights and Employer Obligations

Connecticut Guidance

• CT Department of Labor, Frequently Asked Questions about Coronavirus for workers and employers
• Governor Ned Lamont, Frequently Asked Questions on the State of Connecticut’s actions related to COVID-19 (pdf pages 19-27)
• Governor Lamont Announces Connecticut Businesses Approved to Receive Disaster Assistance Due to COVID-19

Rhode Island Guidance

• RI Department of Labor and Training workplace factsheet

New Hampshire Guidance

• NH resources for employers
• Executive Order on expanded unemployment availability

Maine Guidance

• Maine Department of Labor, Information on COVID-19, (includes links to employer/UI FAQ PDFs)
• Emergency Bill Offers New Flexibility in Maine’s Unemployment Insurance Program

Vermont Guidance

• COVID-19 GUIDANCE FOR VERMONT BUSINESSES

New York Guidance

• New York Department of Health, Protecting the Public Health of All New Yorkers–Employees
• New York Department of Health, Protecting the Public Health of All New Yorkers–Employers
• Empire State Development, Novel Coronavirus FAQ for Businesses

California Guidance

• Shelter in place guidance
• Employment and taxes information
• Cal OSHA guidance
• Unemployment Insurance (UI) Work Sharing Program

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