H.F. 4531 Summary

• Appropriates $200 million to a new COVID-19 Minnesota Fund managed by the commissioner of management and budget for emergency response expenditures exceeding $1 million, subject to Legislative COVID-19 Response Commission review.

• Establishes $29.96 million in peacetime emergency child care grants administered through Child Care Aware, providing $4,500 monthly base grants plus additional amounts for programs serving nonstandard hours, non-English speaking children, or children with special needs.

• Expands unemployment insurance eligibility by waiving the one-week waiting period, suspending the five-week business owner benefit limitation, and allowing leave of absence presumed as involuntary for COVID-19-related health reasons or childcare unavailability through December 31, 2020.

• Eliminates refill timeline restrictions for opiate and narcotic pain relievers and extends the property tax appeal filing deadline to May 30, 2020.

• Provides $11 million in grants to 11 Minnesota tribal nations, up to $1 million each, for emergency response activities; appropriates funds for child care, food shelves, housing support, emergency services, and veterans assistance.