Gov. Holcomb Takes More Actions to Protect Hoosiers During Public Emergency

Schools, Economy, Unemployment Insurance Changes Announced

INDIANAPOLIS – Governor Eric J. Holcomb took additional unprecedented
actions today to protect and support Hoosiers during the COVID-19 outbreak
by signing executive orders that extend the closure of schools, provide
economic relief and protections for individuals and businesses, and expand
unemployment insurance benefits for those impacted by job loss.

“Every day we learn more about how to tackle this monster. We are being
thoughtful about how to approach every action we are taking in this national
public health emergency and putting Hoosiers’ health and safety first,” said
Gov. Holcomb.

Daily COVID-19 testing capacity in Indiana has expanded with the addition of
a new partnership between the Indiana State Department of Health and Eli
Lilly and Company, and at least one other entity has initiated testing this
week. In the past 24 hours, about 200 tests have been completed.

“As we increase the number of tests analyzed each day, no one should be
caught off guard that the number of positive cases will increase,” said Dr.
Kris Box, state health commissioner. “This will help us know where community
spread is occurring in Indiana and help us mobilize resources in affected
areas.”

Here is a summary of covered actions. The Executive Orders, which contain
additional actions, will be found at this link:
www.in.gov/gov/2384.htm

State of Emergency Extension

* The Governor will extend the current state of emergency an
additional 30 days when it expires on April 5.

K-12 schools

* All K-12 public schools will remain closed until May 1. Non-public
schools are also ordered closed. This date may be revised to extend through
the end of the 2019-2020 school year if circumstances warrant.
* All-state mandated assessments will be canceled for the current
academic year. The governor has contacted U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy
DeVos to share the state’s plan and also has asked the Superintendent of
Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick to pursue any federal waivers
needed to cancel the requirements for accountability, chronic absenteeism
and state-mandated assessments.

Economy

* The state of Indiana will align with the federal government to delay
state income tax payments from April 15 to July 15. The U.S. Treasury
extended the deadline to pay federal income tax by 90 days.
* Penalties will be waived for 60 days for property tax paid after May
11. The state will work with counties that may experience cash flow stress
because of the delay.
* The state will not immediately move forward with using $300 million
in reserves to pay for several capital projects approved in the
just-concluded legislative session and instead maintain flexibility to
utilize the funds as needed for relief efforts and to maintain current
services. The state will consider using bonding authority to move forward
with the just-approved capital projects.
* Providers of essential utility services such as gas and electric,
broadband, telecom, water and wastewater services are prohibited from
discontinuing service to any customer during the public health emergency.

* The state’s application to the U.S. Small Business Administration
(SBA) was approved on Wednesday. This program provides targeted,
low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help small businesses and
nonprofits overcome the temporary loss of revenue as a result of
coronavirus. See more at SBA.gov/Disaster
<www.sba.gov/funding-programs/disaster-assistance> .

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

* The state will interpret Indiana’s unemployment laws to the broadest
extent possible to cover Hoosiers who are out of work because of COVID-19.
* Benefits will be paid to individuals who file their initial
unemployment claims late.
* The Department of Workforce Development will allow individuals to
continue to accrue unemployment eligibility if they take work leave because
of COVID-19.
* DWD will seek federal authorization to provide unemployment benefits
for those who are not otherwise eligible for unemployment, such individuals
who have recently started a job.
* For employers, DWD will not assess certain experience rate penalties
because of employees who receive unemployment benefits because of COVID-19.

Housing

* No residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions may be
initiated during the public health emergency. This does not relieve the
individual of obligations to pay rent or mortgage payments.
* All public housing authorities are requested to extend deadlines for
housing assistance recipients and required documentation to show eligibility
for housing programs.
* The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions and Indiana
Community Housing Development Authority are required to work with financial
institutions to identify tools to help promote housing stability.

Social Services

* Participants in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and the Children’s
Health Insurance Program are not required to make premium payments.
* Job search requirements are waived for those applying for Temporary
Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits.
* The Family and Social Services Administration will seek a federal
waiver to extend renewals for existing Medicaid and HIP recipients.
* Telehealth services for mental health, substance use disorder and
prescribing for Medicaid covered services will be expanded.

Insurance

* The commissioner of the state Department of Insurance will request
that insurers institute a 60-day moratorium on policy cancellations for
non-payment of premiums. This does not suspend a policyholder’s obligation
to make payments.
* The commissioner will ask health insurers to cover COVID-19 testing
without requiring prior authorization.
* The commissioner will request that health insurers not increase
prices or coverage costs that involve medical care for COVID-19.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

* To limit the number of in-branch transactions, late fees will be
waived for several driver’s licenses and identification card renewals,
vehicle registrations, titles, and certain other transactions.
* Other operational changes in branches are being instituted to
provide for the safety of employees and customers in branches, such as
spacing between terminals and limiting the number of customers in the lobby.

Veterans

* Requirements have been relaxed for veterans to qualify for awards
from the Military Family Relief Fund.
* Awards in excess of $2,500 may be approved by the IDVA director
during the public health emergency.

Health and Professional Licensing

* Mental health professionals are permitted to practice via
telemedicine.
* Advance Practice Registered Nurses are allowed to provide services
in multiple locations.
* The state health commissioner may waive requirements of the nursing
home certificate of need statute to respond to COVID-19 issues for long-term
care facilities.

More information may be found at the ISDH website at in.gov/coronavirus/
<www.in.gov/coronavirus/> and the CDC website at
www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/index.html.