Signed into law by President Trump on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES) (Public law No. 116-36) amends numerous provisions of federal tax law affecting both businesses and individuals. Many of the changes aim to help taxpayers conserve or generate cash, either prospectively or by amending prior years’ tax returns. 

The Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to issue a declaration to provide liability immunity to certain individuals and entities against any claim of loss caused by, arising out of, relating to, or resulting from the manufacture, distribution, administration, or use of medical countermeasures, except for claims involving “willful misconduct.”

On March 25, 2020, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued Order (Release No. 34-88465) extending the filing periods and proxy delivery requirements covered by its previous Order issued on March 4, 2020, due to the coronavirus, or COVID-19.

Passed by the United States Senate on March 25 and the House of Representatives on March 27, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, or CARES Act, H.R. 748, provides approximately $2 trillion in federal relief for individuals and businesses coping with the COVID-19 pandemic.

On March 18, 2020, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo signed a new law to provide New York State employees job-protected leave and benefits during precautionary or mandatory quarantine or isolation due to COVID-19.

An ever-expanding number of states and local government authorities are issuing “shelter in place” or “stay at home” orders that restrict the movement of employees of non-essential businesses. 

In Kim v. Reins International California, Inc. the California Supreme Court held employees do not lose standing to pursue a claim under the Labor Code Private Attorneys General Act of 2004 (PAGA) if they settle and dismiss their individual claims for Labor Code violations.