Holcomb: All K-12 schools closed until May 1 due to coronavirus

INDIANAPOLIS — All Indiana K-12 schools will remain closed until at least May 1 due to the coronavirus pandemic, Gov. Eric Holcomb announced Thursday afternoon.

The new directive includes non-public schools. The date may extend through the end of the 2019-20 school year “if circumstances warrant.”

All state-mandated assessments will be canceled for the current year.

Indiana State Teachers Association President Keith Gambill issued the following statement about the closures:

“In these extraordinary times we must first seek to protect everyone’s health and safety. We appreciate Gov. Holcomb’s leadership in extending school closures and cancelling statewide testing. There will continue to be questions and uncertainty, but we’ll get through this together.

“Our thoughts continue to be with educators, students and their families during this trying time. ISTA stands by as a partner to help in efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our schools and communities.”

Holcomb also said some filing and payment deadlines for tax season would be extended for 60 days because of the virus.

“Since COVID-19 is impacting so many, in addition to the payment extensions announcement by the IRS, we are also extending the associated Indiana tax return filing deadlines,” DOR COmmissioner Bob Grennes said.

Holcomb also said he would support postponing the primary election on May 5.

Watch the full press conference here:

Here is a summary of actions taken by Holcomb Thursday:

State of Emergency Extension

• The Governor will extend the current state of emergency an additional 30 days when it expires on April 5.

K-12 schools

• All K-12 public schools will remain closed until May 1. Non-public schools are also ordered closed. This date may be revised to extend through the end of the 2019-2020 school year if circumstances warrant.

• All-state mandated assessments will be canceled for the current academic year. The governor has contacted U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos to share the state’s plan and also has asked the Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Jennifer McCormick to pursue any federal waivers needed to cancel the requirements for accountability, chronic absenteeism and state-mandated assessments.

Economy

• The state of Indiana will align with the federal government to delay state income tax payments from April 15 to July 15. The U.S. Treasury extended the deadline to pay federal income tax by 90 days.

• Penalties will be waived for 60 days for property tax paid after May 11. The state will work with counties that may experience cash flow stress because of the delay.

• The state will not immediately move forward with using $300 million in reserves to pay for several capital projects approved in the just-concluded legislative session and instead maintain flexibility to utilize the funds as needed for relief efforts and to maintain current services. The state will consider using bonding authority to move forward with the just-approved capital projects.

• Providers of essential utility services such as gas and electric, broadband, telecom, water and wastewater services are prohibited from discontinuing service to any customer during the public health emergency.

• The state’s application to the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) was approved on Wednesday. This program provides targeted, low-interest loans of up to $2 million to help small businesses and nonprofits overcome the temporary loss of revenue as a result of coronavirus. See more at SBA.gov/Disaster [sba.gov].

Unemployment Insurance Benefits

• The state will interpret Indiana’s unemployment laws to the broadest extent possible to cover Hoosiers who are out of work because of COVID-19.

• Benefits will be paid to individuals who file their initial unemployment claims late.

• The Department of Workforce Development will allow individuals to continue to accrue unemployment eligibility if they take work leave because of COVID-19.

• DWD will seek federal authorization to provide unemployment benefits for those who are not otherwise eligible for unemployment, such individuals who have recently started a job.

• For employers, DWD will not assess certain experience rate penalties because of employees who receive unemployment benefits because of COVID-19.

Housing

• No residential eviction proceedings or foreclosure actions may be initiated during the public health emergency. This does not relieve the individual of obligations to pay rent or mortgage payments.

• All public housing authorities are requested to extend deadlines for housing assistance recipients and required documentation to show eligibility for housing programs.

• The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions and Indiana Community Housing Development Authority are required to work with financial institutions to identify tools to help promote housing stability.

Social Services

• Participants in the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are not required to make premium payments.

• Job search requirements are waived for those applying for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) benefits.

• The Family and Social Services Administration will seek a federal waiver to extend renewals for existing Medicaid and HIP recipients.

• Telehealth services for mental health, substance use disorder and prescribing for Medicaid covered services will be expanded.

Insurance

• The commissioner of the state Department of Insurance will request that insurers institute a 60-day moratorium on policy cancellations for non-payment of premiums. This does not suspend a policyholder’s obligation to make payments.

• The commissioner will ask health insurers to cover COVID-19 testing without requiring prior authorization.

• The commissioner will request that health insurers not increase prices or coverage costs that involve medical care for COVID-19.

Bureau of Motor Vehicles

• To limit the number of in-branch transactions, late fees will be waived for several driver’s licenses and identification card renewals, vehicle registrations, titles, and certain other transactions.

• Other operational changes in branches are being instituted to provide for the safety of employees and customers in branches, such as spacing between terminals and limiting the number of customers in the lobby.

Veterans

• Requirements have been relaxed for veterans to qualify for awards from the Military Family Relief Fund.

• Awards in excess of $2,500 may be approved by the IDVA director during the public health emergency.

Health and Professional Licensing

• Mental health professionals are permitted to practice via telemedicine.

• Advance Practice Registered Nurses are allowed to provide services in multiple locations.

• The state health commissioner may waive requirements of the nursing home certificate of need statute to respond to COVID-19 issues for long-term care facilities.