Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to override the governor's veto and pass a bill that establishes a waiver for certain business closure exemptions due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Highlights:

• Defines “order” as the Governor’s 20200319 TWW COVID-19 Business Closure Order (Sec. 101-A).

• Defines “secretary” as the secretary of community and economic development of the commonwealth (Sec. 101-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all dealers or other vehicle-related businesses that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 101-A & 108-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all lawn and garden equipment supplies stores that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 103-A & 108-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all cosmetology salons and barbershops that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 104-A & 108-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all animal grooming services that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 105-A & 108-A).

• Specifies that the aforementioned waivers shall only be issued to businesses that can conduct the following mitigation measures, including (Sec. 104-A):

• Complying with the mitigation measures described by the occupational health and safety administration and department of health;

• Requiring employees wear masks and gloves at all times;

• Serve customers by appointment only to ensure the lowest possible amount of customers and employees at a time in order to comply with social distancing guidelines;

• Require customers either wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer upon entering unless wearing gloves;

• Ensure that customers wear masks at all times and maintain at least 6 feet of distance between other customers;

• Remove all reading and other material from waiting areas beside seating for customers;

• Prohibit individuals from the premises without an appointment unless accompanying a customer under the age of 18; and

• Wipe down chairs, surfaces, and other equipment used on a customer with acceptable cleaning materials after every customer.

Full Bill Text

Vetoed by Governor Tom Wolf

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that establishes a waiver for certain business closure exemptions due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Highlights:

• Defines “order” as the Governor’s 20200319 TWW COVID-19 Business Closure Order (Sec. 101-A).

• Defines “secretary” as the secretary of community and economic development of the commonwealth (Sec. 101-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all dealers or other vehicle-related businesses that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 101-A & 108-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all lawn and garden equipment supplies stores that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 103-A & 108-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all cosmetology salons and barbershops that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 104-A & 108-A).

• Authorizes the secretary to immediately issue a waiver to all animal grooming services that comply with social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to protect workers and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 (Secs. 105-A & 108-A).

• Specifies that the aforementioned waivers shall only be issued to businesses that can conduct the following mitigation measures, including (Sec. 104-A):

• Complying with the mitigation measures described by the occupational health and safety administration and department of health;

• Requiring employees wear masks and gloves at all times;

• Serve customers by appointment only to ensure the lowest possible amount of customers and employees at a time in order to comply with social distancing guidelines;

• Require customers either wash their hands with soap and water or hand sanitizer upon entering uless wearing gloves;

• Ensure that customers wear masks at all times and maintain at least 6 feet of distance between other customers;

• Remove all reading and other material from waiting areas beside seating for customers;

• Prohibit individuals from the premises without an appointment unless accompanying a customer under the age of 18; and

• Wipe down chairs, surfaces, and other equipment used on a customer with acceptable cleaning materials after every customer.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that establishes a waiver for certain business closures due to the COVID-19 coronavirus.

Highlights:

• Authorizes the Secretary of Community and Economic Development to immediately issue a waiver to the governor’s COVID-19 business closure order to all vehicle dealer activities that can adhere to the social distancing practices and other mitigation measures defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to protect workers and mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus (Sec. 1).

• Requires all businesses that receive the above-mentioned waiver to provide at minimum, the following protections for essential employees and workers, including (Sec. 1):

• Additional hazard pay, relative to the employee’s risk of exposure;

• Appropriate new personal protective equipment at the start of every shift, including gloves and a mask;

• A work environment that maximizes the safety of the employee and the public, including social distancing and barriers;

• Cleaning areas with adequate soap and water and breaks to frequently engage in hand washing;

• Leave for sickness, which must be compensated at the employee’s normal wage; and

• Information by the business if a coworker has been tested for COVID-19 and the results of those tests when available.

• Requires that any business operating in this state under a waiver that violates any of the requirements be immediately closed and may not be permitted to reopen until the business is in compliance (Sec. 1).

• Defines an “essential employee” as an employee of a business who is required by the employee’s employer to report to work at a physical location (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that this act shall take effect immediately upon passage (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text