Proposed Legislation could lead to County Health Department overrides
A new Indiana Senate Bill has emerged which would address County Health Department orders which are more stringent than the State Executive Order on the topic. This was introduced in part by State Sen. Ron Alting, who said, “There’s no elected official [at the health department]that is accountable to any of those decisions and that is just not right.” Senate Bill 5 affords local elected officials oversight on County Health Department Orders. When an appeal is made, a business will then have a 15 day stay.
The Indiana Senate Bill 5 digest reads:
Local health departments; public health emergencies. Provides that if a local order addresses an aspect of a declared emergency addressed by an executive order, the local order may be less stringent than the executive order to the extent permitted by the executive order. Provides that if a local order addresses an aspect of a declared emergency that is not addressed by an executive order or if a local order addresses an aspect of a declared emergency more stringently than an executive order, the local order may not take effect, or remain in effect, unless the local order is approved by the county legislative body (in the case of a county health department) or by an ordinance adopted by the city legislative body and approved by the mayor (in the case of a city health department). Provides that the appointment of a county health officer is subject to the approval of the county legislative body. Adds other good cause to the reasons for which a local health officer may be removed in counties other than Marion County. Specifies that a local health officer serves until a successor is appointed and qualified. Establishes an appeals process before legislative bodies of enforcement actions taken by local boards of health and local health officers in response to declared state and local public health emergencies.
Beware of Covid vaccination related scam
The Indiana Attorney General warns of a new scam targeting consumers who have received their COVID-19 vaccine. Recipients are reportedly receiving unsolicited emails and text messages asking them to complete a survey about the Pfizer, Moderna, or AstraZeneca vaccine. In exchange, consumers are offered a free product, but asked to pay shipping and handling fees. Instead, the scammers bill them and never send the product. If you believe that someone is attempting to scam you, contact the Office of the Indiana Attorney General. Consumers may file a complaint online by visiting indianaconsumer.com.
Attorney General Rokita and the Office of the Indiana Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division offer the following tips for consumers to identify and avoid falling victim to a scam:
- Don’t give your financial, medical, or personal information to anyone claiming to offer money or gifts in exchange for your participation in a COVID-19 vaccine survey.
- Carefully examine any message that claims to be from a trusted source. Don’t call or use the number in the email or text. If you want to call the company that supposedly sent the message to verify its legitimacy, look up its phone number online.
- Don’t click on any links or open attachments. Doing so could install harmful malware that steals your personal information without you realizing it.
Indiana offers recovery grants for hospitality and entertainment industries
Governor Eric Holcomb today announced a new grant program available to support Hoosier hotels, entertainment venues, and promoters by reimbursing certain expenses incurred during and related to the global pandemic. The Indiana Hospitality & Entertainment Grant program makes available $30 million in federal funding to accelerate the speed of recovery for these businesses that have been significantly impacted over the last year and largely excluded from other government assistance programs. Businesses that meet the eligibility requirements can apply for reimbursement of qualified business expenses incurred at their Indiana operations between March 1, 2020, and Dec. 31, 2021.
These qualified expenses include payroll – which may be reimbursed up to 100% – and non-payroll expenses, such as insurance premiums, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, lease payments, and safety investments – which may be reimbursed up to 80%. Reimbursements may be awarded up to $100,000 for each month but may not exceed $1 million total for each eligible business.
Registered Indiana businesses must:
- Have been established prior to Oct. 1, 2019;
- Still be operating in Indiana;
- Be registered to operate in Indiana and must be seeking reimbursement for expenses related only to their Indiana operations;
- Be in good standing with the Indiana Department of Revenue (DOR) or have a DOR-approved payment plan;
- Have had fewer than 500 full-time employees in 2019;
- Have been profitable in 2019 (determined by EBITDA) and have had between $10 million and $35 million (Gross Receipts or Sales) in revenue in 2019;
- Demonstrate a monthly gross revenue loss of at least 60% compared to 2019 revenues; and
- Be an entertainment, venue, or hospitality business as defined by the following NAICS Codes:
- 721110 Hotels & Motels,
- 711310 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities,
- 711320 Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events without Facilities,
- 711110 Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters,
- 512131 Motion Picture Theaters (except Drive-Ins),
- 512132 Drive-In Motion Picture Theaters.
The application, along with additional details and instruction, is available at backontrack.in.gov. Eligible businesses may apply until Dec. 31, 2021, but are encouraged to apply and submit expenses for reimbursement as soon as possible, as grants will be issued in the order they are received until funding is exhausted.