Signed by Governor Michael Dunleavy

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to amend and pass a bill that extends the governor's disaster declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

• Requires a public health emergency to support the efforts of the Department of Health and Social Services to maximize and maintain the following federal benefits (Sec. 4.b):

• Emergency allotments under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program;

• Blanket waivers enacted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;

• Waivers under the Social Security Act; and

• Funding under the Stafford Act related to non-congregate sheltering.

• Prohibits the governor from expending more than a cumulative total of $10 million of state funds from the disaster relief fund in response to the declaration of a public health disaster emergency issued by the governor on January 15, 2021 (Sec. 5.b).

• Authorizes the Office of Management and Budget to electronically submit, on the first day of the month, a report to the legislative finance division that lists the total expenditures incurred by the state in its response to the public health disaster emergency, including mitigating, preventing, and controlling COVID -19 (Sec. 6).

• Specifies during the COVID-19 public health disaster emergency declared by the governor on January 15, 2021, a professional or occupational licensing board, or the director, with respect to a profession regulated by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Sec. 7):

• May not increase licensing fees; and

• May grant a license, permit, or certificate on an expedited basis to an individual who holds a corresponding license, permit, or certificate in good standing in another jurisdiction to the extent necessary to respond to the public health disaster emergency, a license expedited under this section expires on the earlier of;

• December 31, 2021; or

• The date the governor determines that the public health disaster emergency no longer exists.

• Authorizes that during the COVID-19 public health disaster emergency, the commissioner of health and social services may waive any state law or regulation if compliance would substantially prevent or impede the provision of health care services under this section. Nothing will be construed to abrogate authority granted to the commissioner of health and social services (Sec. 8).

• Establishes a person is immune from civil and criminal liability for acts performed in good faith at the request of a government agency acting on the authority granted by this Act. This immunity does not apply to an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or intentional misconduct (Sec. 13.b).

• Establishes a licensee is immune from disciplinary action under this title for sickness, death, economic loss, and other damages suffered by a client of the licensee from exposure to novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the course of the licensee's practice of the licensee's trade or profession (Sec. 14.a).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that extends the governor's disaster declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Highlights:

• Requires a public health emergency to support the efforts of the Department of Health and Social Services to maximize and maintain the following federal benefits (Sec. 4.b):

• Emergency allotments under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program;

• Blanket waivers enacted by the United States Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services;

• Waivers under the Social Security Act; and

• Funding under the Stafford Act related to non-congregate sheltering.

• Prohibits the governor from expending more than a cumulative total of $10 million of state funds from the disaster relief fund in response to the declaration of a public health disaster emergency issued by the governor on January 15, 2021 (Sec. 5.b).

• Authorizes the Office of Management and Budget to electronically submit, on the first day of the month, a report to the legislative finance division that lists the total expenditures incurred by the state in its response to the public health disaster emergency, including mitigating, preventing, and controlling COVID -19 (Sec. 6).

• Specifies during the COVID-19 public health disaster emergency declared by the governor on January 15, 2021, a professional or occupational licensing board, or the director, with respect to a profession regulated by the Department of Commerce, Community, and Economic Development (Sec. 7):

• May not increase licensing fees; and

• May grant a license, permit, or certificate on an expedited basis to an individual who holds a corresponding license, permit, or certificate in good standing in another jurisdiction to the extent necessary to respond to the public health disaster emergency, a license expedited under this section expires on the earlier of;

• December 31, 2021; or

• The date the governor determines that the public health disaster emergency no longer exists.

• Authorizes that during the COVID-19 public health disaster emergency, the commissioner of health and social services may waive any state law or regulation if compliance would substantially prevent or impede the provision of health care services under this section. Nothing will be construed to abrogate authority granted to the commissioner of health and social services (Sec. 8).

• Establishes a person is immune from civil and criminal liability for acts performed in good faith at the request of a government agency acting on the authority granted by this Act. This immunity does not apply to an act or omission that constitutes gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or intentional misconduct (Sec. 13.b).

• Establishes a licensee is immune from disciplinary action under this title for sickness, death, economic loss, and other damages suffered by a client of the licensee from exposure to novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the course of the licensee's practice of the licensee's trade or profession (Sec. 14.a).

Full Bill Text