Workforce Emergency Response Act of 2020

Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act

This bill responds to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak and its impact on the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.

The bill provides FY2020 supplemental appropriations for federal agencies to respond to the COVID-19 outbreak. The supplemental appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.

In addition, the bill

• expands paid sick days, family and medical leave, unemployment compensation, and food assistance programs;
• provides economic assistance payments of up to $1,500 per individual;
• eliminates cost-sharing (e.g., deductibles, coinsurance, or copayments) for COVID-19 treatments and vaccines;
• requires health care facilities to implement a comprehensive infectious disease exposure control plan to protect health care workers;
• provides grants, loans, and other assistance to hospitals, small businesses, state and local governments, elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and airports;
• expands or establishes various tax credits; and
• establishes requirements for early voting and absentee voting.

The bill also modifies or expands a wide range of other programs and policies, including those regarding

• Medicare and Medicaid,
• medical product supplies,
• housing,
• student loans and financial aid,
• the federal workforce,
• veterans benefits
• environmental and consumer protection requirements,
• the U.S. Postal Service,
• aviation workers and the airline industry, and
• pension and retirement plans.