COVID-19 Response Legislation   

Senate Bill 177: COVID-19 Relief for Schools

  • Allows districts to use unlimited NTI or non-traditional Instruction days.
    • Online learning platforms.
  • Commissioner of Education can waive instructional hours for this year if the district cannot make up the hours by June 12.
  • Waivers for state agency children’s programs (KECSAC) to relax regulations around meeting their extended school year to make up days.
  • A Board of Education shall allow emergency leave to any full or part-time employee if deemed necessary during COVID emergency and waives a requirement for personal affidavits.
  • Allows KBE to waive K-PREP testing if approved by the Federal Government.
    • KY was granted a waiver on March 24.
  • Directs KBE to apply for other federal waivers involving the federal IDEA Law.
  • Allows local school board to revise the district certified evaluation plan.
  • Allows educational enhancement opportunity days as needed for a graduating senior to meet military or postsecondary obligations.
  • Allows notices for classified or certified employees regarding salary or non-renewal of contracts to be sent via regular mail or email.
  • Allows districts to use 2018-19 average daily attendance for 2019-2020 SEEK allocation.
  • Retroactive to March 6, 2020.

Senate Bill 150: Economic Relief Related to COVID-19
* Moser served on bipartisan Conference Committee for SB 150

  • Removes the 7-day waiting period.
  • Adopts an alternative base period.
  • Allows for employees who have had been reduced to part-time to draw a partial benefit.
  • Extend benefits to self-employed and others who would normally not be eligible.
  • Protects small business owners from having their rate adversely impacted because they were forced to lay employees off
  • Permits the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet to seek assistance from the federal government and use other resources to reimburse the unemployment insurance trust fund.

  • Gives agri-business flexibility to suspend requirement to obtain temporary restricted CDL licenses for farm-related services under certain circumstances.
  • Allows retail drink license holders to temporarily sell alcoholic beverages on a delivery, to-go, or takeout basis with food.

  • Provides relief from licensing fees and other requirements for occupations and professions required to be licensed under Kentucky law but have had their businesses close due to Governor’s executive order.
  • Relief from tax filing and payment deadlines under state law which now matches federal policy
  • Requires adherence to tax payment requirement changes made by federal authorities and requires the same changes for comparable Kentucky payment requirements and provides that penalties and interest not be imposed for any extensions.
  • Provides that a tax district may suspend or otherwise extend applicable deadlines for filing net profit or gross receipt returns.

  • Grants temporary ability for physical and occupational therapists to be deemed essential health care providers under Kentucky law.
  • Establishes immunity for health care providers who in good faith render care or treatment during the state of emergency.
  • Provides that the State Boards of Medical Licensure, Emergency Medical Services, and Nursing may waive or modify certain laws.

  • Extends deadline for responding to open records requests.
  • Suspends open meetings laws to allow for live audio or live video teleconference meetings.
  • Allows live audio or live video teleconference for court-ordered counseling and educational classes.
  • Establishes immunity for businesses that make or provide personal protective equipment or personal hygiene supplies that do not do so in the normal course of their businesses.
  • Allows a real time video teleconference to be considered for purposes of complying with testimony, signature, or notarization requirements.

  • Requires the Governor to declare, in writing, the date that the COVID-19 emergency has ceased. In the event no such declaration is made on or before the first day of the next regular session, the General assembly may determine the date.
  • Allows the Governor to provide administrative directives to the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet based on United States Department of Labor guidance.