The Daily Edition for Wednesday, April 22, 2020

To view this Daily Impact online, click here.

 

 

Welcome to your Daily Impact newsletter!
As a valued member of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, we plan to stay in touch with you every afternoon, through emails like this one and on Facebook and Twitter, until the pandemic passes. We intend to provide you with the latest state and federal information, as well as highlighting the creativity and innovation that is occuring here in Maine during this unpredictable and rapidly changing time. To assist you in navigating the uncertainties ahead, we have created a diverse and comprehensive collection of web-based resources to help you take care of yourself and your family, your employees, your business, and your community.
Do you have a question? ASK THE EXPERTS.	We are here to help in any way we can!

 

 

Exploring the Issues at the Intersection of Workers' Comp and Covid-19
	On April 22, the Maine State Chamber hosted its second free Wednesday Webinar to discuss the workers' compensation issues that have surfaced as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Nearly 140 people joined the webinar to hear Chris Condon, president of United Insurance; John Cronan, Esq. of Preti Flaherty; Lee Cyr director of Insurance Services for Synernet, Inc.; and Mike Bourque, president and CEO at MEMIC, as they explored the topic and offered guidance on actions employers can currently take withing the existing rules and laws.
Among the highlights, and perhaps the best piece of information for businesses, is to connect with your insurance agent to discuss the options and customize the solution that best fits your company. Employers should consider their insurance policies pertaining to addressing building vacancies, defining site locations, commercial auto insurance, business income coverage, and commercial property insurance. Agents can also advise and educate on potential relief options offered by their company.   Employment law practices should also be addressed after a discussion with legal counsel to avoid potential pitfalls regarding liability, coverage terms, protected classes, FMLA, layoffs, and furloughs. With so many employees now working from home, companies should also make sure that they have cyber security measures in place on all company-owned devices used by employees.   While it is technically early in this pandemic, there have already been approximately 300 workers' compensation cases filed with the Workers' Comp Board. Standards from the NCCI and current Maine law provide an adequate road map for determining compensability of the claims and initiating fact-driven investigations into them. In Maine, the COVID-19 claims fall under injuries and occupational diseases, and therefore, infection needs to occur, not simply risk of exposure. The burden of proof falls to the employee in this situation, and the investigation would need to determine if the virus was contracted during the course of employment, if the risk is peculiar to employment, and if the employee's risk is greater than the public's risk. Of note, contracting the virus from a coworker is currently not compensable.   Workplace safety was also discussed this morning, specifically as it relates to ergonomics, workplace injuries, and mental health. Employers should also implement movement breaks, encourage proper workspace set up, and be aware of employees' stress and anxiety levels when possible. Don't forget to report, record, and investigate any injuries, such as slips, trips, and falls.   The Maine State Chamber would like to thank our sponsors - Bangor Savings Bank, Central Maine Power Company, Maine DECD, MEMIC, MaineHealth / Synernet, Preti Flaherty, and United Insurance - as well as our speakers, for making this webinar successful and informative. If you were not able to join us this morning, the 60-minute video and slide presentations are posted online at https://www.mainechamber.org/webinar02.

 

To reserve your banner ad in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau by emailing melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

Senate Passes Legislation That Includes at Least $16 Million for COVID-19 Testing in Maine

On Wednesday, April 22, U.S. Senator Susan Collins announced that Maine would receive at least $16,295,844 for COVID-19 testing under the Paycheck Protection Program & Health Care Enhancement Act that passed the Senate last night. The legislation provides a total of $25 billion for COVID-19 testing efforts, augmenting the $38 billion in funding for testing, treatments, and vaccines provided through prior congressional action. This agreement now moves to the House for consideration.

 

King Statement on Bipartisan Agreement to Support Small Businesses, While Also Helping Hospitals and Boosting Testing

On April 21, U.S. Senator Angus King released a statement after the Senate approved a bipartisan agreement that would provide an additional $484 billion in funding to support America's small businesses and hospitals hit hard by the economic impacts of coronavirus, as well as increasing federal funds to support coronavirus testing.

 

Thursday, April 23 | Tune in to The Bottom Line Podcast at 10:00 a.m.
With Maine Department of Labor Deputy Commissioner Kimberly Smith
	Maine Department of Labor Deputy Commissioner Kimberly Smith is this week's special guest on The Bottom Line podcast live-streaming at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 23. Smith will join The Bottom Line co-hosts Dana Connors of the Maine State Chamber of Commerce and John Williams of Williams Broadcasting to discuss the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on employers and employment in Maine, with a focus on unemployment insurance.   To listen live, visit www.williamsbroadcasting.net scroll down to "Listen Online," or catch up with the archived shows.

 

Maine DOL updates FAQs, responds to employers' concerns

The Maine DOL has updated its online FAQs to clarify some issues that have emerged from recent communications regarding the SIDES process and employees refusing to return to work.   The State Information Data Exchange System (SIDES) E-Response is a web-based interface that provides employers with secure online reporting of separation and wage information about individuals who may file for unemployment insurance benefits. Maine DOL recently sent out the letter to employers and received queries about the PIN number, which regrettably hadn't been mentioned in the letter. To clarify, when employers sign up for SIDES, they receive a PIN in the regular USPS mail needed to activate their SIDES account. Only after the point of activation will employers be able to complete any requests for separation electronically.   Note: Until employers are activated on SIDES, they need to process and return any paper separation forms they received through the mail in the same format (sending paper forms through the mail). No information on separation forms that arrive through the mail can be then transmitted back to MDOL through SIDES.   Employers have also communicated with MDOL that they are having some issues where employees are refusing to return to work or go back on payroll. Please send the following information to the Bureau of Unemployment Compensation Tax Division by email to division.uctax@maine.gov: * Name of Claimant and last four of SSN, if known; * Date offer was given; * Job title; * Date individual was to start work or get back on payroll; * Expected duration of work; * Rate of pay; * Reason for refusal; * Method of offer (phone, email, text, mail); and, * Name and phone number of the person who made the offer.

 

Tuesday, April 28 | Legislative Strictly Social Virtual Coffee Hour
The Maine State Chamber of Commerce and the Kennebec Valley Chamber of Commerce invite you to attend our Legislative Strictly Social Virtual Coffee Hour. We invite you to grab a cup of coffee at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 28, and hear from legislators about current issues.   Normally, our annual series of statewide receptions is an ideal way for you, the Maine business leader, to interact with business associates, new and prospective Maine State Chamber members, and state representatives in a relaxed setting. This year, due to the COVID-19 situation, we will be hosting this event online as a coffee hour with Sen. Eloise Vitelli, Sen. Jeff Timberlake, Rep. Ryan Fecteau, and, Rep. Trey Stewart. Our panel of legislators will open the hour, and there will be an opportunity for questions through the Zoom chat feature. Please join us for this presentation. A participation link will be sent to you after you have completed registration. Learn more or register here.
Thank You To Our Generous Sponsors! A special thank you to our sponsors from the Legislative Strictly Social, which has now become the Legislative Strictly Social Coffee Hour, due to the need for social distancing during this pandemic. Your continued support is greatly appreciated!
SERIES SPONSORS: Casella Waste Systems, Inc.; Central Maine Power Company; Maine Department of Economic & Community Development; Northeast Delta Dental; VHB
PREMIER SPONSOR: AT&T	SPOTLIGHT SPONSORS: Backyard Farms, LLC; Brookfield Renewable Energy
PRESENTING SPONSORS: Altria Client Services LLC; American Chemistry Council; Bank of America; Dead River Company; Emera Maine; Finance Authority of Maine; Hannaford Supermarkets; MaineHealth; Merrill's Investigations & Security; Mitchell Tardy Jackson Government Affairs; PhRMA; Preti Flaherty, LLP; Spectrum Healthcare Partners; The Sheridan Corporation; Unitil Corp.	OFFICIAL SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank; Charter Communications; Cross Insurance; E.A. Scribner Insurance Agency, Inc.; Elanco; Enterprise Holdings; IDEXX Laboratories, Inc.; Maine Better Transportation Association; MEMIC; Maine Primary Care Association
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for this event. Questions can be directed to Angela S. Arno, director of programs and events for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, by emailing aarno@mainechamber.org or calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104.

 

Biddeford trucking company offers free service for pandemic response

According to today's Mainebiz story, Brown Dog Carriers, a trucking and logistics company in Biddeford, has launched a campaign that delivers essential supplies to Mainers in need. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, the "helping paw" campaign seeks to make a connection between Maine companies, organizations and individuals to deliver personal protective equipment, food or supplies or other pandemic-related essential goods.

 

Maine State Chamber Presents Free Wednesday Webinar Series
SERIES SPONSORS: Bangor Savings Bank, Central Maine Power Company and Maine Department of Economic and Community Development   Additional webinars will be forthcoming, and sponsorship opportunities are available. Questions can be directed to Angela S. Arno, director of programs and events for the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, by emailing aarno@mainechamber.org or calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 104.
	Wednesday, April 29 | Starting at 11:00 a.m. WEBINAR FOR SOLE PROPRIETOR BUSINESSES: NAVIGATING THE COVID19 PANDEMIC   This webinar will focus on the short- and long-term issues arising from the pandemic for sole proprietors - with suggested solutions. Topics covered will include a review of up-to-date federal and state legislative opportunities, tax issues to discuss with your accountant, insurance liability, health insurance options, credit protection, and steps for sole proprietors to take with customers. There will also be a brief review of pertinent estate planning options during the pandemic.   Register here | Sponsored by Lambert Coffin
	Wednesday, May 6 | Starting at 11:00 a.m.   WE ARE STILL FINALIZING THIS WEBINAR   TOPIC TO BE ANNOUNCED
	Wednesday, May 13 | Starting at 11:00 a.m. RECENT STATE AND FEDERAL TAX CHANGES AND HOW THEY AFFECT YOUR BUSINESS   This webinar will focus on federal tax changes contained in the CARES Act and changes made at the state level that provide support for businesses during this pandemic. Additional topics also include a look at the ever-changing landscape at the federal level for additional stimulus funds and what those changes might look like.   Register here | Sponsored by Pierce Atwood and WIPFLi, LLP
	NAVIGATING THE LEGAL AND FINANCIAL ISSUES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PRESENTED EXCLUSIVELY FOR MAINE'S CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY   Presented on Wednesday, April 15 | Listen to the recording here   The Maine State Chamber thanks our April 15 webinar presenters and sponsors: Rudman & Winchell; TD Bank; and, Albin, Randall and Bennett.
	THE INTERSECTION OF WORKERS' COMP AND COVID-19   Presented on Wednesday, April 22 | Listen to the recording here   The Maine State Chamber thanks our April 22 webinar presenters and sponsors: MEMIC, MaineHealth / Synernet, Preti Flaherty, and United Insurance

 

 

To join these advertisers in the Daily Impact, please contact Melody Rousseau by emailing melodyr@mainechamber.org, or by calling (207) 623-4568, ext. 102.

 

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