COVID-19 July Updates: Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Newsletter

MLC July Updates

The Michigan Legislative Consultants (MLC) is sharing the latest updates with our members informed on what’s happening at the State Capitol in our MLC July Updates.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Tuesday, July 28, 2020.

Tuesday, July 28 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 4,355
• Total Cases: 78,507
• Weekly Deaths: 28
• Total Deaths: 6,154

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 8,676
• Total Cases: 80,628
• Weekly Deaths: 151
• Total Deaths: 3,082

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 5,701
• Total Cases: 62,907
• Weekly Deaths: 77
• Total Deaths: 2,709

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 9,907
• Total Cases: 172,655
• Weekly Deaths: 1,885
• Total Deaths: 7,416

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 6,397
• Total Cases: 49,417
• Weekly Deaths: 47
• Total Deaths: 893

Executive Orders

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued three new Executive Orders.

• Executive Order 2020-156 – Continues the limited and temporary restrictions on the entry of individuals into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities previously imposed by Executive Order 2020-136.
• Executive Order 2020-157 – Work permits required by the Youth Employment Standards Act can be mailed, emailed, faxed, or sent via the web rather than filled-out on special colored paper, as required by statute.
• Executive Order 2020-158 – Requirements for in-person notarizations are temporarily suspended and transactions that require a notary to be completed via two-way, real-time audiovisual technology are allowed.

MIOSHA Launches New Program

Aimed at protecting employees, customers and communities from the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) launched a State Emphasis Program (SEP) focused on retail, restaurant, bar, and service industry establishments that address the need for increased partnership, education, and enforcement to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spread. The focus of this SEP is to educate and seek compliance with guidelines and rules that will protect workers and customers in locations serving the public where community spread of COVID-19 is a risk. Click here for more information.

Michigan Articles

• A recent survey gives a look into how Michigan residents feel about wearing masks and how they think Governor Whitmer is managing the pandemic in Michigan. Click here to read more.
• $20 million in federal funding is available to support local response efforts. Click here to read more.
• Five restaurants braved the pandemic and moved forward with plans to open during the pandemic. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• Congress is facing a changed political climate as they decide on the next wave of federal aid. Click here to read more.
• Thousands of federal employees are seeking disability compensation after contracting COVID-19. Click here to read more.
• The recent surge in cases is making economic recovery more difficult. Click here to read more.

Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders Related to COVID-19

We are sharing executive orders with you as they are announced. A complete list with links to each of the Executive Orders is available here.

• Executive Order 2020-153 – Strengthens prior order requiring individuals to wear a mask while indoors or in crowded public spaces.
• Executive Order 2020-154 – Consolidates and extends three previous orders providing temporary alternative means to conduct public meetings, administrative proceedings, and providing required notice under tax abetment statutes.
• Executive Order 2020-156 – Continues the limited and temporary restrictions on the entry of individuals into health care facilities, residential care facilities, congregate care facilities, and juvenile justice facilities previously imposed by Executive Order 2020-136.
• Executive Order 2020-157 – Work permits required by the Youth Employment Standards Act can be mailed, emailed, faxed, or sent via the web rather than filled-out on special colored paper, as required by statute.
• Executive Order 2020-158 – Requirements for in-person notarizations are temporarily suspended and transactions that require a notary to be completed via two-way, real-time audiovisual technology are allowed.

Additionally, the following website is a source for updated information from the administration.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Monday, July 20, 2020.

Monday, July 20 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 4,430
• Total Cases: 74,152
• Weekly Deaths: 51
• Total Deaths: 6,126

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 9,039
• Total Cases: 71,952
• Weekly Deaths: 124
• Total Deaths: 2,931

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 5,169
• Total Cases: 57,206
• Weekly Deaths: 63
• Total Deaths: 2,632

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 7,949
• Total Cases: 162,748
• Weekly Deaths: 2,108
• Total Deaths: 9,301

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 6,076
• Total Cases: 43,018
• Weekly Deaths: 26
• Total Deaths: 846

Executive Orders

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued four new Executive Orders.

• Executive Order 2020-151 – Extends the emergency declaration through August 11 at 11:59 p.m.
• Executive Order 2020-152 – Extends prior order allowing student pharmacists to continue training under remote supervision.
• Executive Order 2020-153 – Strengthens prior order requiring individuals to wear a mask while indoors or in crowded public spaces.
• Executive Order 2020-154 – Consolidates and extends three previous orders providing temporary alternative means to conduct public meetings, administrative proceedings, and providing required notice under tax abetment statutes.

E.O. Provides Temporary Relief for Certain Administrative Rules and Procedures

Last week, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-154, which extends and combines three prior orders. The new order:

• Allows public bodies subject to the Open Meetings Act, including boards, commissions, committees, subcommittees, authorities, councils and nonprofit boards, to use telephone- or video-conferencing methods to continue meeting and conducting business during the COVID-19 public health crisis, so long as they follow certain procedures to ensure meaningful access and participation by members of the public body and the general public.
• Allows notice of any public hearing required to take place under a tax abatement statute to be provided electronically and by newspaper.
• Allows the Michigan Employment Relations Commission, Unemployment Insurance Agency, and other administrative hearings to be held by video conference or phone in place of in-person hearings.

Michigan Articles

• Per Governor Whitmer, masks will not be required to vote in-person. Click here to read more.
• The state’s high school athletic association has stated sports will start this fall. Click here to read more.
• Suppliers of virus protection items are anticipating an increase in demand as restrictions continue to ease. Click here to read more.
• Governor Whitmer gave her latest press briefing on the state’s response to the pandemic on July 15. Click here to view the video.
• Businesses and nonprofits can apply for the Michigan Small Business Restart Program. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• The pandemic has resulted in a boon to small- and mid-sized farms, will this continue post-pandemic? Click here to read more.
• As cases continue to rise in the U.S., other countries are perplexed at how the U.S. is managing the pandemic. Click here to read more.
• A recent poll shows that women over the age of 65 are most likely to wear a mask in public, with Democratic, college-educated women, wearing a mask 78% of the time. Click here to read more results of the poll.
• Today President Trump will resume providing COVID-19 briefings. Click here to read more.
• Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin stated the GOP starting point for another round of pandemic relief is $1 trillion. Click here to read more.

Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders Related to COVID-19

We are sharing executive orders with you as they are announced. A complete list with links to each of the Executive Orders is available here.

• Executive Order 2020-150 – Any law or regulation that requires a health care professional to take an exam, be fingerprinted, or take part in continuing education as a condition of obtaining or renewing a license, certification, registration is temporarily suspended.
• Executive Order 2020-151 – Extends the emergency declaration through August 11 at 11:59 p.m.
• Executive Order 2020-152 – Extends prior order allowing student pharmacists to continue training under remote supervision.
• Executive Order 2020-153 – Strengthens prior order requiring individuals to wear a mask while indoors or in crowded public spaces.
• Executive Order 2020-154 – Consolidates and extends three previous orders providing temporary alternative means to conduct public meetings, administrative proceedings, and providing required notice under tax abetment statutes.

Additionally, the following website is a source for updated information from the administration.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Tuesday, July 14, 2020.

Tuesday, July 14 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 3,549
• Total Cases: 69,722
• Weekly Deaths: 100
• Total Deaths: 6,075

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 8,681
• Total Cases: 62,913
• Weekly Deaths: 130
• Total Deaths: 2,807

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 3,706
• Total Cases: 52,037
• Weekly Deaths: 64
• Total Deaths: 2,569

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 7,548
• Total Cases: 154,799
• Weekly Deaths: 173
• Total Deaths: 7,193

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 4,881
• Total Cases: 36,942
• Weekly Deaths: 24
• Total Deaths: 820

Executive Orders

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued seven new Executive Orders.

• Executive Order 2020-144 –Extends protections against water shutoffs through December 31, 2020.
• Executive Order 2020-145 – Outlines workplace safety guidelines for meatpacking plants to keep employees safe.
• Executive Order 2020-146 – Temporarily suspends transfers into and from the Department of Corrections facilities unless jails adopt certain risk-reduction protocols.
• Executive Order 2020-147 – Requires the use of masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. Additionally, it requires businesses to refuse entry to people without a mask, with limited exceptions.
• Executive Order 2020-148 – Specifies certain actions a long-term care facility must take when a resident experiences symptoms of COVID-19.
• Executive Order 2020-149 – Extends health and safety rules for grocery stores and pharmacies through August 10.
• Executive Order 2020-150 – Any law or regulation that requires a health care professional to take an exam, be fingerprinted, or take part in continuing education as a condition of obtaining or renewing a license, certification, registration is temporarily suspended.

E.O. Scales Back the Suspension of Scope of Practice Laws

Under Executive Order 2020-150, signed today by Governor Whitmer, any law or regulation that requires a health care professional to take an exam, be fingerprinted, or take part in continuing education as a condition of obtaining or renewing a license, certification, registration is temporarily suspended.

Professional certifications for individuals in basic life support, advanced cardiac life support, and first aid will remain in effect during the current emergency declaration, even if they would otherwise be set to expire.

Michigan Articles

• Virus tracers are having a tough time working to contain the virus given the opposition they often face from those they try to contact. Click here to read more.
• Today is the first-day Governor Whitmer’s order to businesses to refuse entry to anyone not wearing a mask is in effect. Click here to read more.
• Governor Whitmer held her most recent press conference on July 9. Click here to watch the video.
• The Kingdom of Jordan donated PPE equipment to Michigan. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• Rising case numbers are pushing the country toward an explosion of cases that could overwhelm our health system. Click here to read more.
• As the way we vote changes in response to the pandemic, election costs are rapidly increasing. Click here to read more.
• Concerns are growing among experts at the length of time it takes for COVID-19 test results. Click here to read more.
• National Geographic provides a look at how the current surge in cases compares to New York City’s peak. Click here to read more.

Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders Related to COVID-19

We are sharing executive orders with you as they are announced. A complete list with links to each of the Executive Orders is available here.

• Executive Order 2020-150 – Any law or regulation that requires a health care professional to take an exam, be fingerprinted, or take part in continuing education as a condition of obtaining or renewing a license, certification, registration is temporarily suspended.
• Executive Order 2020-149 – Extends health and safety rules for grocery stores and pharmacies through August 10.
• Executive Order 2020-148 – Specifies certain actions a long-term care facility must take when a resident experiences symptoms of COVID-19.
• Executive Order 2020-147 – Requires the use of masks indoors and in crowded outdoor spaces. Additionally, it requires businesses to refuse entry to people without a mask, with limited exceptions.
• Executive Order 2020-146 – Temporarily suspends transfers into and from the Department of Corrections facilities unless jails adopt certain risk-reduction protocols.
• Executive Order 2020-145 – Outlines workplace safety guidelines for meatpacking plants to keep employees safe.
• Executive Order 2020-144 – Extends protections against water shutoffs through December 31, 2020.

Additionally, the following website is a source for updated information from the administration.

This information is sourced from the Michigan Legislative Consultants’ COVID-19 Special Update email newsletter sent on Tuesday, July 7, 2020.

Tuesday, July 7 – Statewide Economic Impact

Statistics

MICHIGAN

• Weekly Cases: 2,676
• Total Cases: 66,173
• Weekly Deaths: 60
• Total Deaths: 5,975

OHIO

• Weekly Cases: 6,708
• Total Cases: 54,232
• Weekly Deaths: 102
• Total Deaths: 2,677

INDIANA

• Weekly Cases: 3,103
• Total Cases: 48,331
• Weekly Deaths: 73
• Total Deaths: 2,505

ILLINOIS

• Weekly Cases: 4,790
• Total Cases: 147,251
• Weekly Deaths: 118
• Total Deaths: 7,020

WISCONSIN

• Weekly Cases: 4,003
• Total Cases: 32,061
• Weekly Deaths: 19
• Total Deaths: 796

Executive Orders

Governor Gretchen Whitmer has issued six new Executive Orders.

• Executive Order 2020-137 – The order requires owners and operators of employer-provided migrant housing licensed by the State to provide residents with the same safeguards businesses are required to provide workers under Executive Order 2020-97.
• Executive Order 2020-138 – Rescinds and replaces a previous order on Telehealth and removes provisions no longer needed after recent legislation signed into law.
• Executive Order 2020-140 – Allows work permits for the Youth Employment Standards Act to be mailed, emailed, or faxed, rather than submitted online.
• Executive Order 2020-141 – Allows notice of any public hearing required to take place under a tax abatement statute may be provided electronically and by the newspaper.
• Executive Order 2020-142 – Requires school districts to adopt a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
• Executive Order 2020-143 – Closes indoor service at bars throughout most of lower Michigan.

Governor Takes Steps to Reduce Recent Increased Cases

Last week, every region in Michigan had an uptick in new cases, and daily case counts exceeding 20 cases per million in the Grand Rapids, Lansing, and Kalamazoo regions. Nearly 25% of diagnoses in June were of people ages 20 to 29, up from roughly 16% in May. That shift aligns with national trends, and the evidence suggests that young people may be driving a new phase of the pandemic.

As a result, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-143 closing indoor service at bars throughout most of lower Michigan to protect the progress Michigan has made against COVID-19. Regions 6 and 8, which include the Upper Peninsula and much of northern Michigan, are excluded from the order, and bars statewide can continue to serve outdoors.

Michigan Articles

• Under Governor Whitmer’s school reopening plan, students won’t be required to socially distance this fall. Click here to read more.
• As a result of the pandemic, the state is in need of more substitute teachers. Click here to read more.
• Sunday was the first day since March that Michigan didn’t experience any COVID-19 deaths. Click here to read more.

National Articles

• While many across the country have called for a federal mask mandate, the White House Chief of Staff doesn’t see that as necessary. Click here to read more.
• The Medicaid caseloads continue to increase as the pandemic goes on, creating budgetary problems in several states. Click here to read more.
• The recent spikes in cases nationwide are threatening to overwhelm hospitals. Click here to read more.

Governor Whitmer’s Executive Orders Related to COVID-19

We are sharing executive orders with you as they are announced. A complete list with links to each of the Executive Orders is available here.

• Executive Order 2020-143 – Closes indoor service at bars throughout most of lower Michigan.
• Executive Order 2020-142 – Requires school districts to adopt a COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.
• Executive Order 2020-141– Allows notice of any public hearing required to take place under a tax abatement statute may be provided electronically and by the newspaper.
• Executive Order 2020-140 – Allows work permits for the Youth Employment Standards Act to be mailed, emailed, or faxed, rather than submitted online.
• Executive Order 2020-138 – Rescinds and replaces a previous order on Telehealth and removes provisions no longer needed after recent legislation signed into law.
• Executive Order 2020-137 – The order requires owners and operators of employer-provided migrant housing licensed by the State to provide residents with the same safeguards businesses are required to provide workers under Executive Order 2020-97.

Additionally, the following website is a source for updated information from the administration.

WE’RE HERE TO ASSIST

While these are very uncertain times, please know that the MLC Team, along with POAM, is available to answer your questions regarding this MLC July Updates. Additionally, we will provide regular updates as more information becomes available.

Follow COVID-19 Law Enforcement Related News