Publications, The Weekly Update 06.23.20

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Juneteenth: A National Day of Reflection, June 19, 2020
The PilieroMazza family paused to reflect and take a collective breath in remembrance of this day in our country’s history. Working with PilieroMazza’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, we are using this time to listen, learn, and engage in discourse, and work to do better as individuals and as a team. We are honored to have an incredible team who are learning from each other on how to provide a platform for conversations on racial injustices and inequality. We also stand by those fighting for an equitable society and justice and invite you to join us. [Read More]

COVID-19 Client Resource Center: To access resources for businesses navigating the COVID-19 crisis, we invite you to visit PilieroMazza’s “COVID-19 Client Resource Center.” Please contact covid19@pilieromazza.com for immediate assistance.

PilieroMazza is also hosting a series of webinars on “The Post-Coronavirus Workplace,” which cover topics of interest for our clients who are navigating “the new normal.” Please visit this web page for updates and this link to subscribe and receive PilieroMazza webinar invitations.

LABOR & EMPLOYMENT

Landmark SCOTUS Decision Holds Title VII Prohibits Discrimination on Basis of Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation, June 15, 2020, Nichole Atallah, Sarah Nash, and Sara Nasseri
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that employers who discriminate against gay and transgender workers violate Title VII. For employers, we examine the ruling and offer key takeaways. [Read More]

Upcoming Labor and Employment Law Presentations

WEBINAR: Staying Compliant: Service Contract Act Updates and Your Business, July 9, 2020, Nichole Atallah. [Read More]

WEBINAR: Nuts and Bolts of SCA, July 14, 2020, Nichole Atallah. [Read More]

WEBINAR: Long-Term Remote Work Strategies, July 15, 2020, Sarah Nash and Anna Wright. [Read More]

SMALL BUSINESS PROGRAMS & ADVISORY SERVICES

SBA Reopens EIDL and Advance Program
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it has reopened its Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) and EIDL Advance program portal to all eligible applicants experiencing economic impacts due to COVID-19. SBA’s EIDL program offers long-term, low-interest assistance for small businesses and non-profits. 

Paycheck Protection Program Updates

SBA and Treasury Release New PPP Application Forms, June 19, 2020, Cy Alba
As we reported in our previous alert, President Trump signed the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act into law. The bill makes numerous changes to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) aimed at improving loan forgiveness procedures and loosening restrictions on PPP funds. Accordingly, SBA and the Department of the Treasury released revised application forms for businesses participating in the PPP. The new PPP application forms differ substantially from previous iterations, and borrowers need to be aware of which forms they should use. [Read More]

New PPP-Related Interim Final Rules
To conform to the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, SBA issued interim final rules to revise several PPP-related interim final rules.

  • Revisions to First Interim Final Rule: This interim final rule revised SBA’s interim final rule published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2020, by changing key provisions, such as the loan maturity, deferral of loan payments, and forgiveness provisions. It also made conforming amendments to the use of PPP loan proceeds. Several of these amendments are retroactive to the date of enactment of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Read the published version here.
  • Additional Revisions to First Interim Final Rule: This interim final rule revised SBA’s interim final rule published in the Federal Register on April 15, 2020, by changing the eligibility requirement related to felony convictions. Read the published version here.
  • Revisions to the Third and Sixth Interim Final Rules: This interim final rule revised interim final rules published in the Federal Register on April 20, 2020, and May 4, 2020, with changes related to PPP loan proceed use, forgiveness, and the covered period. Several of these amendments are retroactive to the date of enactment of the CARES Act. Read the published version here.

LITIGATION & DISPUTE RESOLUTION

New Judicial Order Offers Clarity on Maryland Statutes of Limitations Impacted by COVID-19, June 18, 2020, Matthew Feinberg
Early during the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of state-level court systems, including Maryland’s courts, declared judicial emergencies and issued orders automatically tolling, or postponing, the expiration of statutes of limitations for claims filed within those states. These orders offered plaintiffs a reprieve from the strict filing deadlines. Now, as Maryland begins the process of reopening its court systems to the public, the state’s highest court has issued an order offering clarity as to the new filing deadlines for the expiration of statutes of limitations for claims. [Read More]

GOVERNMENT CONTRACTS LAW

ANNOUNCEMENT: Tony Franco Joins MCCC Board of Directors and Executive Committee as General Counsel, June 16, 2020
On June 10, 2020, the Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce (MCCC) announced the appointment of Tony Franco as a member of the Chamber’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee, where he will serve as general counsel. “I’m honored to be working with MCCC’s visionary leaders Gigi Godwin and Barbara Ashe, amongst others, as I continue PilieroMazza’s enduring partnership with the Chamber,” said Tony. [Read More]

VIDEO: SBA’s New WOSB / EDWOSB Certification Requirement and 8(a) Economic Disadvantage Criteria Revisions, June 16, 2020, Meghan Leemon and Jonathan Pomerance. [Watch Here]

Upcoming Government Contracts Law Presentations

WEBINAR: PCI Forum: Protecting Past Performance, June 24, 2020, Sam Finnerty. [Read More]

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