Update from Rep. Christopher Davis 4/21/2020

To date, more than 64,192 patients have been tested in Connecticut (+1,386 since yesterday). Approximately 1,949 patients are currently hospitalized (net +30 since yesterday). The total statewide number of COVID-19 associated fatalities is now 1,423 (+92 since yesterday). The Governor’s Office notes that the day-to-day changes reflect newly reported cases, deaths, and tests that occurred over the last several days to week.

Please continue to practice social distancing.

UNEMPLOYMENT UPDATE

I had a lengthy call today with the state Department of Labor where numerous issues faced by constituents were discussed. Hopefully by next week, the DOL will have the extra $600 per week from the federal government available and the new filing system setup for self-employed individuals by April 30th. Here is a link to their latest update from DOL that has a lot of good information for those of you filing for unemployment: https://tinyurl.com/UnemploymentUpdate

NEW EXECUTIVE ORDER ISSUED

Governor Lamont today signed another executive order – the 30th since he enacted the emergency declarations. Executive Order No. 7CC enacts the following provisions:
· Applicability of Executive Order No. 7S, Section 7 to additional critical and time-sensitive municipal fiscal actions: Expands Section 7 of Executive Order No. 7S, permitting a municipality’s legislative body and budget-making authority to jointly authorize certain actions by a majority vote of each body to include additional time sensitive and essential actions among which such bodies may authorize.
· Clarification of time periods regarding suspension and modification of non-judicial tax sales pursuant to Executive Order No. 7S, Section 11: Clarifies the calculation of time frames to redeem certain interests in property after a municipality has sold the property to recoup unpaid taxes. Executive Order No. 7S extended those time frames.
· Exclusion of federal stimulus payments in evaluating eligibility for state or local programs financed in whole or in part using state funds: Modifies state statutes to provide that individual stimulus payments under the federal CARES Act will not be counted as income or resources when determining eligibility for state benefits or services.
· Alternative to physical presence in court for finding of irretrievable breakdown of marriage: Modifies state statutes requiring the physical presence in court of a party to a dissolution or legal separation prior to a finding that a marriage has broken down irretrievably to permit the court to accept not-in-person testimony from such parties sufficient to make such finding. However, this does not apply in any case where a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
· Alternative to in-person waiver of right to file motion or petition for educational support: Modifies state statutes requiring a parent to be present in court for the court to make findings sufficient to accept the parent’s waiver of the right or file a motion or petition for educational support to provide that such a waiver may be accepted upon submission of proof deemed sufficient by the court that the parent fully understands the consequences of such a waiver. However, this does not apply in any case where a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
· Alternative to physical appearance of petitioner regarding decree of dissolution after entry of decree of legal separation: Modifies state statutes requiring the presence of the party seeking a decree dissolving a marriage at the time of the entry of such decree and permits the court to make such entry without requiring the presence of the party. However, in any case where a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court, the presence of the party shall be required.
· Alternative to in-court canvas prior to entrance of final agreement: Modifies state statutes requiring the court to inquire into the financial resources and actual needs of the spouses and their respective fitness to have physical custody or rights of visitation with any minor child prior to entry of a final order of dissolution or approval of a final agreement and permits the court to satisfy the inquiry requirement. However, this does not apply in any case in which a restraining order or a protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
· Alternative to physical presence when findings on the record required: Whenever applicable law requires the court to make a specific finding on the record in a proceeding, that requirement is satisfied if the court’s written judgement, order, or memorandum of decision includes such finding except in any case where a restraining order or protective order between the parties is in effect or an application for such an order is pending before the court.
· Revised financial protections for people covered by insurance who receive out-of-network health care services during the public health emergency: Repeals Sections 2(a) and 2(b) of Executive Order No. 7U.

For the language of the executive order, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/ycwkttjg

INCREASED TESTING IN THE GREATER HARTFORD AREA

Hartford HealthCare and Quest Diagnostics will significantly increase the amount of testing these organizations are doing in Connecticut from 500 tests per day to 2,500, and in particular it will allow them to more actively engage in communities that are traditionally underserved.

More info: https://bit.ly/2XU5kdT

STUDENT LOAN DEBT RELIEF

Under this new initiative, Connecticut residents with commercially owned Federal Family Education Loan Programs or privately held student loans who are struggling to make their payments due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be eligible for expanded relief by a number of servicers. Borrowers in need of assistance should immediately contact their student loan servicer to identify the options that are appropriate to their circumstances. Relief options include:

· Providing a minimum of 90 days of forbearance;
· Waiving late payment fees;
· Ensuring that no borrower is subject to negative credit reporting;
· Ceasing debt collection lawsuits for 90 days; and
· Working with borrower to enroll them in other borrower assistance programs, such as income based repayment.

This relief is limited to certain loan holders and servicers. For more information, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y8n8wmez

For more information on the state’s response to the coronavirus outbreak, please visit: ct.gov/coronavirus

As always, please feel free to reach out to me at [email protected] or repdavis.com.