Legislative update from State Senator Mark Obenshain: Yes, We Are Still Open…

My Senate office is open and fielding calls to assist our businesses and citizens about the Coronavirus and other matters pertaining to state government. The following is information on several of the issues we are most frequently asked about. If you have questions about any of these issues or about available government resources or if we may be of any other help, please call my office at 540-437-1451or email me at mark@markobenshain.com.

Public Health
The Virginia Department of Health’s website has lots of resources about the virus, the extent of the outbreak across Virginia and materials for how each of us can best help prevent the spread as individuals and members of various organizations.

Electricity, Water, and Gas
The State Corporation Commission issued an order directing utilities it regulates, such as electric, natural gas, and water companies in Virginia, to suspend service disconnections for 60 days to provide immediate relief for any customer, residential or business.

Support for Impacted Workers
The Commissioner of the Virginia Employment Commission will waive the one-week waiting period to ensure workers can receive benefits as soon as possible. Workers may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits if an employer needs to temporarily slow or cease operations due to COVID-19. If a worker has been issued a notice to self-quarantine by a medical or public health official and is not receiving paid sick or medical leave from their employer, they may be eligible to receive unemployment benefits. In addition, a worker may be eligible for unemployment benefits if they must stay home to care for an ill family member and are not receiving paid family medical leave from their employer. For individuals receiving unemployment insurance, the Virginia Employment Commission will give affected workers special consideration on deadlines, mandatory re-employment appointments, and work search requirements.

Support for Impacted Employers
Regional workforce teams will be activated to support employers that slow or cease operations. Employers who do slow or cease operations will not be financially penalized for an increase in workers requesting unemployment benefits.

The Governor is authorizing rapid response funding, through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, for employers eligible to remain open during this emergency. Funds may be used to clean facilities and support emergency needs.

Department of Motor Vehicles
All of Virginia’s 75 DMV offices, as well as mobile units, are closed to the public. Online services will remain available, and anyone needing to renew a license or vehicle registration is encouraged to do so online. For those who cannot renew online, or whose license or registration expires before May 15, DMV will grant a 60-day extension.

State Courts
The Supreme Court of Virginia granted a judicial emergency until Monday, April 6. All non-essential, non-emergency court proceedings in all district and circuit courts are suspended absent a specific exemption.

SBA Loans
It’s our understanding that the Governor is in the process of applying with the Small Business Association at the federal level so that our small businesses here in the Commonwealth may be eligible to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans. We will share more information about this as we receive it. The SBA has some very informative information about these loan programs, what the funds can be used for, and the current interest rates at their site here.

Jails and Prisons
The Department of Corrections has canceled offender visitation at all facilities until further notice. Off-site video visitation is still available. A dedicated COVID-19 public information line with an updated, recorded message is operational. The phone number is (804) 887-8484. DOC has implemented a screening protocol for offenders coming into state facilities from local jails. Virginia provided detailed guidance to correctional facilities and other work locations regarding approved hand washing, sanitizing, and disinfectant products, and instructions for the proper use of those products to provide protection from COVID-19.

Thank you to everyone who is doing their part to help their fellow Virginians!

Best,

Mark Obenshain