Waterford Today

Measures to help families during the COVID-19 pandemic were approved by Rep. Andrea Schroeder (R-Independence Township) and the Michigan House of Representatives.

Among the measures is one to extend unemployment benefits and help for residents of nursing homes, according to the Michigan House Republicans website. After the Michigan Supreme Court ruled Gov. Gretchen Whitmer's powers and orders were unconstitutional, the House and Senate began advancing measures to replace the governor's orders. 

“These new measures are a significant step forward to keep people safe and provide the help they need during what continues to be a very challenging time -- in Oakland County and all across Michigan,” Schroeder told Michigan House Republicans. “This is a smart strategy that improves the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic across the board -- helping families put food on the table, pay their bills and stay healthy.”

Rep. Andrea Schroeder | Michigan House Republicans

Senate Bill 886 will keep benefits put in place by the Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) safe and ensure that people will receive claims uninterrupted. Workers would also be protected if they take a leave of absence for quarantining of self-isolating or to care for family members who have the virus. 

"It also ensures job providers will continue to be held harmless for unemployment benefit charges if their employees were laid off because of the COVID-19 pandemic," Schroeder said, according to Michigan House Republicans.

Senate Bill 911 allows residents who have retired to help out with claims at the UIA or the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Lastly, Senate Bill 1094's goal is to reduce the spread of the coronavirus at nursing homes with the help of the Nursing Homes COVID-19 Preparedness Task Force. 

"It prohibits the return of COVID-19-positive residents to nursing facilities, unless they have recovered, or the facility has established a state-approved and dedicated area to care for people with the virus," Schroeder said, according to Michigan House Republicans. "The legislation also clears the way to allow in-person, indoor visitation in nursing homes, and acknowledges the great need for increased testing and faster results for COVID-19 in these facilities."

Other measures the House approved include: extending the validity of driver's licenses, vehicle registrations and ID cards; wills, deeds and other important documents being allowed to be signed virtually; giving local governments and school boards the option to meet remotely. 

“It’s going to take innovation and cooperation to get through the COVID-19 pandemic,” Schroeder told Michigan House Republicans. “We’ve got to work together because we’re all in this together.”