May 16, 2020
Below is an update on the COVID-19 pandemic as it pertains to Minnesota as of 8:00 PM on 5/16/2020.
Updates from the Governor
Today, Governor Tim Walz signed 11 bills into law, including measures to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21 and make Minnesota the first state to prohibit the use of the toxic and long-lasting chemical trichloroethylene (TCE)
At the end of the day, our job is to keep Minnesotans safe,” said Governor Walz. “These strong bipartisan measures will improve public health and reduce preventable health risks. Raising the age to buy tobacco to 21 will help stop addiction before it starts and save young lives.”
The Governor’s bill signing today included:
Tobacco 21
- Raises the age for Minnesotans to purchase tobacco, tobacco products, electronic delivery devices, and other nicotine products to 21.
TCE Ban
- Bans the use of TCE for permitted facilities, with narrow exemptions, by June 1, 2022. The bill also provides a process for small businesses to apply for up to one additional year and up to $25,000 in zero-interest loans to transition away from TCE; addresses a process for identifying replacement chemicals; and requires that health benchmarks be met throughout any transition period.
Protecting vulnerable adults from financial exploitation
- Establishes new financial exploitation protections for older adults and vulnerable adults by expanding authority under the 2018 Safe Seniors Financial Protection Act.
Data Practices Omnibus Bill
- Contains five policy provision: regulation of drones by law enforcement through a warrant requirement; clarify the requirement of a search warrant for electronic communication information; clarify statute regulating warrants for location-tracking devices; expand the scope for when a warrant is required for location tracking; and changes to publication criteria for court of appeals opinions.
Revisor’s Bill
- Annual bill from the Revisor of Statutes. It is a compilation of technical corrections to sections of statute.
Civil Law Omnibus Bill
- Contains four policy provisions related to civil law: modernize Minnesota Guardianship Law to create a more person-centered approach in statute; update to Uniform Transfers to Minors Act; amend the Common Interest Ownership Statute in homeowner association voting procedures; and amend the statutory formula that determines the percentage of wages that are able to be garnished.
City Charter Commissions
- Existing law allows city councils for charter cities to appoint new members to those cities’ Charter Commissions if the chief judge of the district court in which the city is situated fails to make an appointment within 30 days. This bill removes that authority for city councils, so that the chief judge of the district court has responsibility for appointments and reappointments.
Agriculture Policy Omnibus
- Includes language creating a working group to advise the Commissioner of Agriculture and legislature on ways to support emerging farmers. It specifies that the group must include, to the extent possible, women, people with disabilities, people of color and indigenous people, and young urban farmers. Revisions to existing law on hemp processing, including authorization to undertake rulemaking. Technical changes to Seed Law, Agriculture Best Management Practices loans, and the noxious weed program.
Eyewitness Identification Policies
- Requires the Minnesota Peace Officers Standards and Training Board to create a model policy for eyewitness identification. The policy then must be adopted by law enforcement agencies throughout the state. The four requirements in the bill are based on recommendations in a 2014 report by the National Academy of Sciences.
Job Training Grant Modifications
- Updates and modernizes the Department of Employment and Economic Development’s Job Training Grant program.
Electronic Signatures Accepted
- Allows local governments to accept e-signatures and electronic submittal for certain types of documents during the COVID-19 emergency and for 60 days thereafter or until January 6, 2021, whichever is earlier. The list of documents includes, among others, planning and zoning applications, applications for birth and death certificates, plats, and surveys.
Everyone can work to reduce the spread of COVID-19
- Cover your coughs and sneezes with your elbow or sleeve, or a tissue and then throw the tissue in the trash and wash your hands afterwards.
- Washing your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom or before eating. If soap and water are not readily available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your face – especially your eyes, nose and mouth – with unwashed hands.
- Stay home if you have cold- or flu-like symptoms, for 10 days after your illness onset and three days after your fever resolves without fever reducing medicine (whichever is longer), and avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Up-to-date guidance from the Department of Health on recommended community mitigation strategies can be found here.
Resources
- CDC Situation Updates
- mn.gov/covid19/
- Apply for Unemployment Insurance
- Minnesota Department of Health Updates
- About COVID-19
Coverage
- Gov. Tim Walz Signs Bill Into Law Raising Minimum Age To Purchase Tobacco Products To 21
- Gov. Tim Walz signs 11 bills into law, including measures to raise the age to purchase tobacco to 21
- To honor pandemic victims, Walz orders flags lowered to half-staff on 19th of month
- Minnesota school districts exploring summer school options after order allowing some in-person learning
- Walz order: Workers may refuse to work if not given COVID-19 protections