BW INSIGHTS

COVID-19 Prompts Changes to Iowa Certificate of Need Requirements

By Drew Larson | 03.26.2020
On March 17, 2020, Governor Reynolds issued a moratorium of the Iowa Certificate of Need (“CON”) requirements for institutional health care facilities. Included within the definition of institutional health care facilities are hospitals and nursing facilities. Pursuant to the Governor’s proclamation, institutional health care facilities would not... Read More

Determining Whether Your Business Qualifies as Essential

By Brennan Block | 03.26.2020
More and more state and local governments are issuing “stay at home” orders that require all non-essential businesses to cease operations and send employees home. We’ve received many client questions regarding the ramifications of these orders, the definition of an “essential business,” and the registration requirements for essential businesses.... Read More

DOL Updates Effective Date and Issues Model Notice Posters

By BrownWinick | 03.25.2020
As noted in our last post, the Department of Labor announced the effective date of the new federal leave laws is April 1, and not April 2. In related news, today, the Department of Labor has issued its model notice posters for Emergency Paid Sick Leave and Expanded FMLA Leave under the FFCRA. The notice for private employers can be found here:... Read More

Slashing Costs? Don’t Let The Abandonment Of Your IP Portfolio Be “A Permanent Reminder Of A Temporary Feeling.”

By Christopher Proskey | 03.25.2020
Economic crisis, Jimmy Buffett and IP portfolios, here we go. I’ve spent the last two weeks talking with clients, colleagues and friends all over the world trying to wrap my head around the current situation we’re in as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These conversations have confirmed the entire world is doing what we’re doing – staying home... Read More

Iowa Utilities Take Steps to Address Customers' COVID-19 Issues

By Haley Van Loon | 03.23.2020
Many of the electric, natural gas, water, and communications utilities serving Iowans have taken steps to address their customers’ utility service issues associated with the novel coronavirus and COVID-19. Typically, these steps take the form of suspending disconnection of service for nonpayment, although the details of these suspensions can vary.... Read More

Event Cancellations as a Result of COVID-19? Check Your Contracts!

By BrownWinick | 03.22.2020
With extreme social distancing requirements in place across Iowa and the United States, it is clear that COVID-19 will have an impact on our lives for weeks to come. Cities, schools, and universities alike have cancelled scheduled events — and more and more cancellations are still to come. But what if your organization has booked a venue, caterer,... Read More

Your Estate Plan To-Do List While Social Distancing

By Robert Hodges | 03.20.2020
The COVID-19 pandemic is an unprecedented event that is changing the way we think about protecting our families, health and wealth. During this time, some of you may find yourself at home practicing social distancing in order to do your part in flattening “the curve”. This time at home may provide an opportunity to consider your estate plan. This... Read More

Option for Avoiding Total Layoffs During COVID-19

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020
This is not a new program but has new features to assist employers in trying to avoid layoffs. Iowa Workforce Development describes its “Voluntary Shared Work Program Unemployment Insurance Benefits” (VSW) below: “The program is intended for use as an alternative to layoffs and can be an effective tool for Iowa businesses experiencing a temporary... Read More

Employer Guidance Regarding COVID-19 Impact on Unemployment Benefits in Iowa

By Danielle Smid | 03.18.2020
Do employees need to exhaust all vacation, sick leave, or personal time off (PTO) time prior to claiming unemployment benefits? Yes. If an employer offers vacation, sick leave, or PTO time to employees, the employees must exhaust those benefits prior to claiming unemployment benefits. Are employers required to lay off employees in order for the... Read More

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