COVID-19 Update June 16, 2020

Big win for the LGBTQ community this week after a landmark decision from the Supreme Court finds workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation in violation of Title VII.

For those who still need access to capital, the federal Main Street Lending Program launched today for businesses under 15,000 employees, and the Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EDIL) are still available and more specific to small businesses.

The Louisiana Main Street Lending Program also passed the legislature today with $300 million grant dollars available to small businesses for up to $15,000.00. If you received PPP funding, you may not be immediately eligible for a grant, but we are following closely to find out when it will open to PPP loan recipients. Further grant requirements include:

• Must have had fewer than 50 employees on March 1, 2020
• Must be domiciled in Louisiana as of March 1, 2020
• Must have suffered an interruption of business caused or forced by voluntary closures or restricted operations due to social distancing measures, have decreased customer demand, have cleaning or disinfection expenses, and have had to provide personal protective equipment.

Today’s Downloads:

1. “No Contest”: Supreme Court Finds Title VII Protects LGBTQ Individuals from Workplace Discrimination – In a 6-to-3 vote today, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that workplace discrimination because of an individual’s sexual orientation or gender identity — including being transgender — is unlawful discrimination “because of sex” under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
2. HHS Final Rule Rolls Back Health Care Protections for Transgender Workers – The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a final rule on June 12 eliminating anti-discrimination protections based on gender identity in health care and health insurance that the agency says were unenforceable and exceeded the prior administration’s authority.
3. Supreme Court Says Federal Anti-Bias Law Protects LGBTQ Workers – The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) applauded the Supreme Court for its ruling making clear employment discrimination on the basis of an employee’s sexual orientation or gender identity is illegal.
4. Out of State Remote Work Creates Tax Headaches for Employers – If a business has employees who reside and work in a state different from where the business is physically located or operates, it could face unexpected state and local taxes next year.