KY House passes COVID-19 emergency bill

The Kentucky House of Representatives passed a COVID-19 emergency bill last night before adjourning for a week, according to a social media post from Representative Jim DuPlessis. The bill removes the seven day waiting period for unemployment, extends the maximum amount of weeks of unemployment beyond twenty-six weeks, and allows for employees who have been reduced to part-time to draw a partial benefit. The bill also adds unemployment insurance relief for small businesses. In addition, the bill gives relief from licensing fees and other requirements for occupations and professions required to be licensed under Kentucky law, offers relief from tax filing and payment deadlines under state law to match federal changes, and deems physical therapists as essential health care under Kentucky law.