We are facing a rapidly changing environment as the world responds to the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to help, USGBC is committed to equipping our members with the information they need to help navigate these uncertain times. Here are some useful updates on federal action intended to support businesses and the U.S. workforce:

On Wednesday, President Trump signed the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201) into law. "Phase two” of this emergency response legislation contains a number of key provisions to assist small and medium-sized businesses in the United States. The provisions summarized below go into effect on April 2.

1. The law requires private sector employers with fewer than 500 employees to offer two weeks of paid sick leave for hourly employees affected by COVID-19. Employers will be reimbursed for the costs associated with this requirement via a refundable 100% payroll tax credit. Employees who have contracted the virus or who are experiencing symptoms and await medical testing are eligible for 14 days of full, paid sick leave. Further, employees caring for individuals under quarantine—or even caring for children who are no longer able to attend school—are also covered under the sick leave program. For this second group, however, employers are permitted to pay workers two-thirds of their normal hourly salary.

2. The law requires private employers with fewer than 500 employees to provide 10 weeks of paid family and medical leave. The costs of this program are also covered by a refundable 100% payroll tax credit. Employees qualify for this benefit if they are unable to work because their children’s school or child care location is no longer operational. The law stipulates that paid family and medical leave wages must be at least two-thirds of regular pay.

View a chart with more details.

According to Roll Call, the final text features critical tax credits to offset payroll taxes on affected wages and the Medicare tax. The law also includes important nutritional assistance funding, such as for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and for the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP). The law also suspended work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and required school meal programs to continue to operate, even though schools are closed because of the virus.

Next steps

The U.S. Senate is already working on new legislation—the “phase three” response—that will likely include grants or loans to struggling businesses. The Treasury Department’s proposed phase-three plan would create a small business interruption loan program and also would include assistance for distressed sectors of the economy. We’ll be continue to provide further updates on further action as it becomes available.

View more information about HR 6201

Emergency legislation passed to assist businesses