MBHH Partner, Randall Comer, can often be found enjoying the great outdoors on his bicycle. Nice weather even calls for a bike ride to and from the office. In addition to the health and environmental benefits, Attorney Comer believes that the bike trails can offer a boost to the local economy. Please read this article for more information on Springfield as a hub along the Miami Valley Bike Trails.
To our valued customers:
Due to the COVID-19/Coronavirus pandemic, and in accordance with Governor DeWine’s orders and the guidelines of the Ohio Department of Health, Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, PLL, and Bankers’ Title Agency are implementing the following policies and procedures for the real estate transactions and matters we handle on behalf of our clients:
Title Services:
Please be aware that many county offices are either closed or have limited hours. As a result, we anticipate that many title examinations will need additional time or, in some cases, cannot be completed. We will do our best to keep you informed of any known or anticipated delays or any limitations on the scope of the evidence of title we can issue.
Closing Procedures:
To safeguard the health of our clients and staff, we will be implementing the following procedures for real estate closings going forward:
• To the extent possible, all real estate closings will be held as escrow closings with executed documents delivered to our office on or before the designated closing date.
• All in-person, roundtable closings will be held in either our Springfield or Urbana offices.
• Our offices are closed to people who do not have scheduled appointments. All appointments and closings are to be scheduled in advance via telephone or e-mail with the attorney or paralegal responsible for the matter.
• Only the parties to the roundtable closing, that is, the Sellers and Buyers/Borrowers, are to attend. We ask that realtors be available during the closing via telephone. We will do our best to get to the parties and their realtors drafts of the closing documents prior to closing and ask that the realtors review those documents with their clients.
• We will practice social distancing during the roundtable closing. We will greet you without shaking hands and ask that everyone do the same. The parties will be placed in separate conference rooms to minimize interpersonal contact. The parties will also not share pens for executing documents.
• Our conference rooms will be disinfected before and after each meeting or closing. The time needed to accomplish this task may prevent us from scheduling closings too close together.
• We require notification by any party exhibiting symptoms such as coughing, fever, or shortness of breath – or who have been in close contact with others exhibiting the same. We will make reasonable accommodations for that party to execute the closing documents.
We appreciate your understanding and cooperation in helping us implement these policies and procedures to keep us all healthy and safe. We will keep you advised of any changes to them or of any new ones that we adopt in accordance with governmental orders or the recommendations of the Ohio Department of Health.
Ohio Amended Substitute House Bill 197
Ohio passed legislation to address the coronavirus pandemic. Highlights of the new law impacting you and your business include the following:
Martin Browne, will continue to monitor these situations and provide updates as necessary. Our attorneys are on hand to answer your questions and provide guidance on how to navigate these critical issues. Please contact Shannon Wahl, Randall Comer, Steve McCready, or Dina M. Cary of Martin Browne’s Labor & Employment Practice group.
This post is not intended as a substitute for professional legal advice. If you have any questions about this information, please contact an attorney at Martin, Browne, Hull & Harper, P.L.L. at 937-324-5541.
HR 748, Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES)
Here is the third major piece of federal legislation enacted to address the coronavirus pandemic. Below are highlights of the new law that may affect you, your businesses, and your employees now, soon, and later.
Now:
• Can defer paying fifty percent (50%) of Social Security payroll tax due for 2020 and 2021.
• Can immediately monetize tax losses.
• Extends the federal tax filing deadline to July 15.
• Foreclosure of federally-backed home mortgages blocked for at least 60 days.
• Evictions banned at properties connected to the federal government.
Soon:
• Small Business Administration (“SBA”) loans and grants that apply to businesses negatively affected by the coronavirus and Covid-19, including but not limited to, hotels, restaurants, and non-profits.
o Provides $350 billion in small business loans for businesses with less than 500 employees, including self-employed, to pay for payroll, rent, and utilities; loans become grants if loans are used as such (maximum loan of $10 million).
o Increases SBA Express loans amounts from $325,000 to $1 million and reduces time to receive loan.
o Increases eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (“EIDL”), including to sole proprietorships and private non-profits; removes requirement for loan guarantees on amounts less than $200,000; authorizes $10,000 advance when qualified and requested, which may not require repayment.
• Allocates $150 billion to support hospitals and healthcare workers; outlines accelerated payments for rural hospitals and those serving vulnerable populations (i.e., children’s hospitals) when elective procedures are suspended.
• Large employers can receive loans from the Secretary of the Treasury.
o $454 billion available, with conditions, including:
– Must keep 90% of workforce through September and no outsourcing or moving overseas for two years.
– May not break union agreements and must stay neutral if union attempts to unionize.
– Executive pay and benefits limited; no ability to repurchase stock or pay dividends.
• Tax rebate checks of $1200 per adult whose most recent Adjusted Gross Income is no more than $75,000 (filed singly), $112,500 (filed as head of household), or $150,000 (filed married jointly). Payment amount decreases as AGI increases above the limits. Qualifying adults will receive $500 per child under age 17 for whom a child tax credit was claimed on most recent taxes. This is a tax credit for 2020.
• Increased unemployment eligibility, maximum time to receive unemployment (39 weeks v. 26 weeks), payments increased by $600 per week. Freelance and contract workers may receive benefits.
Later:
• Fifty-percent (50%) employee retention tax credit against what employers pay in Social Security payroll taxes, up to $10,000 per employee.
Martin Browne attorneys are on hand to answer your questions and provide guidance on how to navigate these critical issues. Contact us at (937) 324-5541 or www.martinbrowne.com.
The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (“FFCRA” or the “Act”) takes effect this week. The Act provides eligible employees with two (2) weeks of paid leave for qualifying absences and expanded FMLA leave to care for a child whose school or childcare provider is closed or unavailable for reasons related to COVID-19. As a reminder, FFCRA provisions are temporary and apply only to qualifying absences that occur between April 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020. The Act takes effect on April 1, 2020.
Employers are required to post the FFCRA Notice Poster on or before April 1, 2020. The notice must be posted in a conspicuous location in the workplace and be accessible to employees working remotely. Employers may satisfy the notice requirement by emailing or direct mailing the notice to remote workers or posting the notice on the company’s internal or external website. Employees who are laid off or are on furlough are not required to receive a mailed/emailed copy of the notice.
As we continue to wait for official regulations, the U.S. Department of Labor provided guidance through two (2) fact sheets titled Employee Paid Leave Rights and Employer Paid Leave Requirements. It also issued three sets of Questions and Answers (1-59 total) to address some of the most pressing employer questions. Specifically, we now have some clarity that:
The Q&A also provides some guidance on the employee’s ability to work or telework, that the use of intermittent FMLA for FFCRA reasons is at the employer’s discretion, and that a Shelter-in-Place or Stay at Home order is not the same as a qualifying quarantine or isolation order related to COVID-19.
Qualifying Reasons for Leave Under the FFCRA
As a reminder, the qualifying reasons for leave under the FFCRA include an inability to work (or telework) because the employee:
Because the COVID-19 situation is dynamic and the news updates frequently, employers are encouraged to keep up with developments as new information is added or clarified. According to the DOL, official FFCRA regulations will be issued sometime in April.
Martin Browne, will continue to monitor these situations and provide updates as necessary. Our attorneys are on hand to answer your questions and provide guidance on how to navigate these critical issues. Please contact Shannon Wahl, Randall Comer, Steve McCready, or any attorney in Martin Browne’s Labor & Employment Practice group.
