COVID-19/Coronavirus Advocacy & Policy Information as of March 4, 2021 at 5:30pm

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COVID-19/Coronavirus Advocacy & Policy Information
as of March 4, 2021 at 5:30pm
(New Information Highlighted in Yellow)
State Updates, pgs. 1-3
Howard County Updates, pg. 3-5
Federal Updates, pg. 5-6

State Updates

Governor’s Executive Orders
• 1/5/2021: Requires health care providers and employers of health care providers to report
administering a COVID-19 vaccine within 24 hours after vaccine administration to the
MD Health Department via ImunNet. Full text: https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2021/01/Vaccine-Administration.pdf.
• 1/28/2021: Effective February 1, 2021 at 12:01am, food service establishments are no
longer required to close from 10pm to 6am. Full text: https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2021/01/Gatherings-18th-AMENDED-01.28.21.pdf.
• 2/23/2021: Requires face coverings in schools in classrooms, hallways, gyms,
auditoriums, cafeterias, and any other places where interaction with others is likely. Full
text: https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Gatherings-19th-
AMENDED-02.23.21-2.pdf.

Maryland General Assembly
• All Session 2021 Reopening Guidelines:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Information/Text/guidelines.
• Video Tutorials of General Assembly website and submitting electronic testimony:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Information/VideoTutorials.
• Testimony sign-ups on behalf of an organization are now permitted.
• Department of Legislative Services:
o Analysis of COVID-19 Emergency Procurement:
http://dls.maryland.gov/pubs/prod/ProgEval/EvaluationofEmergencyProcurement.
pdf.
o Overview of Additional COVID-19 Assistance:
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/pubs-current/OverviewofAdditionalFederalCOVID-
19EconomicAssistance.pdf.
• All General Assembly YouTube Channels:
https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Information/YouTubeChannelInfo.
• Access the Senate Vaccine Oversight Committee’s webpage:
http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Committees/Details?cmte=vow.

General Updates/Resources
• New COVID-19 Special Enrollment period with the Maryland Health Connection until
March 15th. Full press release: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/01/04/governor-
hogan-and-maryland-health-benefit-exchange-announce-new-special-enrollment-period/.

•   For continued or new unemployment insurance support, visit:
    http://www.labor.maryland.gov/employment/unemployment.shtml.
•   SNAP recipients will receive a 15% increase in benefits for the next six months, and
    TCA recipients will receive the equivalent of $100 more per household member for the
    next six months. Full press release: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/01/06/governor-
    hogan-announces-extension-of-emergency-snap-benefits-and-40-million-in-additional-
    state-issued-tca-benefits-starting-january-2021/.
•   Updated vaccine distribution plans, including addition of Phase 1C in vaccine rollout:
    https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/01/05/governor-hogan-announces-statewide-actions-
    to-accelerate-covid-19-vaccinations-in-maryland/.
•   January 2021 funding announcements:
        o Education:
                ▪ $43.5 million to MSDE for capital programs
                ▪ $31 million to capital projects in the University System of MD and
                     community colleges
                ▪ $781 million in federal funding to school systems; full text:
                     https://news.maryland.gov/msde/maryland-department-of-education-
                     announces-more-than-780-million-in-federal-covid-19-relief-for-
                     maryland-k-12-public-schools/.
                ▪ $20.7 million for innovative educational efforts, community college
                     workforce development programs, independent colleges, and both the MD
                     School for the Deaf and the MD School for the Blind
                ▪ $35.8 million in federal funds for nonpublic schools
        o $7 million to DHCD for community-based economic development
        o Governor Hogan introduced The Relief Act of 2021 (SB 496:
            http://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Legislation/Details/sb0496?ys=2021RS)
        o Maryland to receive over $402 million in federal funds from the Consolidated
            Appropriations Act
        o $30 million emergency relief for arts and entertainment venues
        o $3 million to DHCD’s Strategic Demolition and Smart Growth Impact Fund
        o $258 million for rental relief funding to be distributed by DHCD
•   Vaccine distribution updates:
        o January 14th: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/01/14/governor-hogan-
            announces-expansion-of-covid-19-vaccine-eligibility-for-marylanders-65-and-
            over/
        o January 25th: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/01/26/governor-hogan-
            announces-opening-of-mass-vaccination-sites-expansion-of-pharmacy-program/
        o February 4th: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/02/04/covid-19-vaccination-
            update-february-4-2021/.
        o February 18th: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/02/18/covid-19-vaccine-
            update-february-18-2021/.
        o March 3rd: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/03/03/covid-19-vaccine-update-
            march-3-2021/.
•   Governor Hogan called for hybrid education model in schools by March 1st. Full press
    release: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/01/21/governor-hogan-state-superintendent-
    call-on-maryland-schools-to-reopen-for-in-person-learning-by-march-1/.

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• 2021 State of the State Address text: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/02/03/full-text-
governor-hogans-2021-state-of-the-state-address/.
• Local health departments will receive over $120 million in funding for COVID-19
vaccination support and to address budget shortfalls from having to close fee-for-service
clinics. Full text: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/02/04/governor-hogan-announces-
123-million-in-additional-funding-for-local-health-departments/.
• The Special Enrollment period through the Maryland Health Connection has been
extended through May 15th. Full text:
https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/02/10/governor-hogan-announces-extension-of-
state-health-insurance-special-enrollment-period-until-may-15/.
• February 11th announcements on COVID-19 testing expansion for school systems,
hospital and nursing home visitation, and vaccination plans. Full text:
https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/02/11/governor-hogan-makes-announcements-on-
schools-hospitals-nursing-homes-and-vaccines/.
• Summary of the recently passed and enacted RELIEF Act, which allocates over $1 billion
in State coronavirus relief: https://governor.maryland.gov/wp-
content/uploads/2021/02/RELIEF-Act-One-Pager-.pdf.
• The MD State Department of Education has established a $60 million fund to support
licensed child care centers and registered family child care providers with recent federal
coronavirus aid. The online-only grant application is open February 16th at 1pm through
March 3rd at 3pm. Application information:
https://earlychildhood.marylandpublicschools.org/child-care-relief-funds-grant.
• Information on recently authorized Johnson & Johnson vaccine and MD’s deployment of
it: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/03/01/state-of-maryland-to-deploy-single-dose-
johnson-johnson-vaccine-beginning-this-week/.
• Governor Hogan proclaimed March 5, 2021 as COVID-19 Remembrance Day. Full press
release: https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/03/04/governor-hogan-proclaims-march-5-
as-covid-19-day-of-remembrance-in-maryland/.
• MD Vaccine Equity Task Force released an operations plan for equitable access to and
distribution of the COVID-19 vaccine. Full press release:
https://governor.maryland.gov/2021/03/04/maryland-vaccine-equity-task-force-issues-
statewide-operations-plan/.

For updates from the Governor’s office on the coronavirus:
https://governor.maryland.gov/coronavirus/ or https://www.facebook.com/GovLarryHogan/
MD COVIDlink: https://covidlink.maryland.gov/content/
MD Vaccination Sign-up: https://www.marylandvax.org/

Howard County Updates

Executive Orders
February 17th: Effective Friday, February 19th at 5pm, indoor social gatherings are restricted to 10
people and outdoor social gatherings are restricted to 25 people. Social gatherings include
cookouts, family gatherings, parties, conventions, festivals, parades, and fundraisers unrelated to

operating or patronizing businesses that sell merchandise. Full text:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Portals/0/updated%20executive%20order.pdf?ver=2021-02-
17-115051-250. Press release:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2305/news021721.

Howard County Council
Testimony may be submitted electronically to councilmail@howardcountymd.gov or U.S. Postal
Mail. Meetings and hearings will be streamed online at https://cc.howardcountymd.gov/Online-
Tools/Watch-Us and Channel 99 (Comcast) and Channel 44 (Verizon).

General Updates/Resources
• Effective January 4, 2021, residents whose income has been impacted by COVID-19 can
access a new round of rental assistance. For more information:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Housing-and-Community-
Development/COVID-19-Housing-Information.
• COVID-19 Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=4_TNUdm1yl8%3d&tabid
=3207&portalid=0.
• Vaccine updates:
o January 19th:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2282/News011921.
o How to sign up for a COVID-19 vaccine:
▪ Complete a pre-registration survey:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Health/MM-Alerts-and-
Recalls/COVID-19-Vaccine.
▪ E-mail HoCovaccine@howardcountymd.gov or call 410-313-6284 for
assistance completing the survey.
o February 23rd:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2312/News022321.
• January 2021 funding announcements:
o County Council and County Executive approve $6.5 million in local aid. Full
press release:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2287/News012021d.
o $9.7 million in rental assistance from the U.S. Treasury. Full press release:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2290/News012621b.
• Howard County is adhering to the January 28th State Executive Order allowing restaurants
st
to reopen after 10pm beginning February 1 . Full text:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2292/news012821b.
• County Executive Ball is hosting a telephone town hall on Monday, February 8th at 6pm
to address questions and concerns about COVID-19 vaccine distribution. For more
information: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2293/News020121.
• The 3rd round of HoCo Rise Business Grants will give $5.1 million in support to
businesses. Full text:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2296/New020521.
• Watch the February 8th Town Hall on COVID-19 vaccinations:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgOFBDw0jjw&feature=emb_logo.

• Pre-registration for all phases is now available at
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/Health/MM-Alerts-and-Recalls/COVID-
19-Vaccine or by call the Howard County Health Department at 410-313-6284. Note:
Appointments will become available based on supply and the current vaccination phase.
• There will be a Pop-Up Food Pantry Friday, February 19th from 10am to 11:30am at the
Ridgely Run Community Center (8400 Mission Road, Jessup) sponsored by the Office of
Human Rights and Equity and the Harriet Tubman Foundation of Howard County.
• County Executive Ball is participating in bi-weekly calls with the National Association of
Counties and the White House’s COVID-19 vaccination team. If you have
comments/questions/concerns that you would like shared on a call, e-mail them to
cball@howardcountymd.gov with “Question for White House Vax Team” in the subject
line. Full press release:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/News/ArticleID/2307/News021921.

StayCOVIDSafe Howard County Updates:
https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/COVID-19-Coronavirus-Countywide-Updates
Virtual Assistance Portal (gives residents access to emergency and disaster relief
resources/services:
https://services.howardcountymd.gov/hcportal?category_id=273d4345db209450bcfffce9af96194
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CARES Act Spending Dashboard: https://www.howardcountymd.gov/Departments/COVID-19-
Coronavirus-Countywide-Updates/CARES-Act-Spending-Dashboard.

Federal Updates

General Updates
• Nonprofit-related provisions in recent COVID-19 relief legislation:
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/sites/default/files/documents/covid-relief-bill-
chart.pdf.
• Congress approved appropriations through the end of the fiscal year. FY ’22 legislation
should be introduced in the spring.
• A nationwide injunction has been placed on the executive order to prohibit bias and
diversity training. Full text:
https://www.jacksonlewis.com/sites/default/files/docs/NDCalif_SantaCruz.pdf.
• COVID-19 Relief for Workers and Families:
https://waysandmeans.house.gov/sites/democrats.waysandmeans.house.gov/files/docume
nts/12.21.20%20WM%20Contributions%20to%20EOY%20Package.pdf.
• Federal moratorium on evictions and mortgages extended through March 31, 2021.
• Webinar playback – COVID-19 Relief and Nonprofits:
https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/trends-policy-issues/what-s-the-new-covid-relief-
law-nonprofits.
• U.S. Department of Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program

o Program Information: https://home.treasury.gov/policy-issues/cares/emergency-
  rental-assistance-program.
o FAQ’s: https://home.treasury.gov/system/files/136/ERA-Frequently-Asked-
  Questions_Pub-2-22-21.pdf.

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