In this special edition of The Inspector, we are highlighting 10 updates, links, or resources that you may find helpful to your business or employees. We understand that we are working in unprecedented times. The PA Pest Management Association is here to be a resource!

As an organization, if you have valuable supplies that can support medical professionals (such as masks, gloves, tyvek and poly coverall suits, etc.), we urge you to donate those you can spare to your local medical centers. Search you homes, your offices, your warehouses. This is one way our industry can support the fight against this pandemic.

While we are in trying times, NPMA and PPMA asks for your support in the form of membership renewal. NPMA is offering the following to our members that renew before April 15 ^th: Renew your membership online by April 15 ^th and receive a code for one free registration for NPMA’s top selling online training course, New Hire Training for Service Technicians, valued at $120! You can use this to train a new hire AND earn up to 6 credits in approved states – absolutely free!

Please note that due to the Governor's Executive Order, the physical PPMA office is currently closed. However, Versant Strategies is continuing the work of the Association from their homes and is continuing to lobby on our behalf. This includes communication with the PA Department of Agriculture and the Pennsylvania General Assembly. As there have been status changes, they have been in communication with NPMA to provide updates.

During this time, if you need assistance, please contact Caleb Wright at [email protected].

It is encouraged that all employees have access to the Governor's Executive Order and current Industry Guidance (last updated March 24th) with them in case questions arise. Pest Control has been listed as an essential industry. However, the Administration has made clear that these businesses must continue to follow protocols set forth for social distancing and hygiene as determined by the CDC. More information is available here.

You can view up-to-date virus statistics from the PA Department of health here.

As announced by NPMA:

As Coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to spread in every state across our country and more shelter in place orders are announced each day, PMPs are working quickly to adapt business and service practices to this strange new reality.

 

Click here for a list of all states/provinces that have implemented executive orders to shelter in place or stay at home.

 

Click here for a list of all states/provinces and localities that we are aware of that have implemented executive orders to shelter in place or stay home.

Additionally, NPMA has a landing page dedicated to information and resources for pest management companies. Visit https://www.pestcontrolcoronavirus.com/ for the latest info.

Governor Wolf has recently announced the Covid-19 Working Capital Access Program (CWCA). CWCA loans of will be for up-to $100K for employers with 100 or fewer employees. In total, the loan program will total $60m. Interested businesses should contact their local certified economic development organization. For more information on the program, click here . A listing of, and contact information for, local Certified Economic Development Organizations is available here .

The Pennsylvania Small Business Development Centers will be providing four webinars covering how a business or non-profit can apply for a federal Small Business Administration disaster loans.  

Links to register for each webinar are below 

On Wednesday, March 26th, the PA General Assembly voted to relax regulations surrounding unemployment compensation. While the PA Department of Labor begins to implement these, information will be posted and updated on their webpage. Current information can be found on their webpage here by clicking the button below.

The PA Department of Community and Economic Development has been keeping a listing of resources that can be helpful to the Commonwealth's businesses. You can view this list by clicking the button below.

From the US Department of Labor:

The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA or Act) requires certain employers to provide their employees with paid sick leave or expanded family and medical leave for specified reasons related to COVID-19. The Department of Labor’s (Department) Wage and Hour Division (WHD) administers and enforces the new law’s paid leave requirements. These provisions will apply from the effective date through December 31, 2020.

In an effort to share resources, PPMA President Adam Witt has shared the linked letter below which he has printed and included in each of his technician's vehicle. It further explains that pest control is listed as an essential business and how the company is approaching the pandemic. He noted that members are welcome to use it!

The Salino Scholarship Committee has extended the application deadline for the 2020 scholarship year. Applications are due to the PPMA Office by April 15th. Applicants must be sponsored by a Pest Management that has been in good standing with the PPMA for at least for years, be attending an institute of higher education (either two or for years), and cannot have received the scholarship previously. For further specifics and to download the application, click the button below.

We are in unprecedented times in recent history. With that in mind, we offer you the following resources in case you or someone you know needs additional assistance.

Apply for WIC: Call 1-800-942-9467

Home heating help: http://on.pa.gov/LIHEAP

Vote by mail ballot: http://VotesPA.com/ApplyMailBallot

Report price gouging: [email protected]

Get tax answers: http://revenue-pa.custhelp.com

 Talk mental health: Text PA to 741-741

Apply for Medicaid: http://on.pa.gov/compass

Apply for SNAP: http://on.pa.gov/compass

Credit/mortgage/rent advice: http://on.pa.gov/2Jb8UYp

Learn about school closures: http://education.pa.gov/COVID19

Access driver services: http://dmv.pa.gov/online-services

Find professional license services: http://pals.pa.gov

 

Receive text alerts in PA: http://on.pa.gov/AlertPA

Join us at our upcoming 2020 events!

Central Region Spring Seminar (February 24 | Radisson, Camp Hill)

Central Region Fall Seminar (TBD)

Eastern Region Spring Seminar (March 12 | Radisson, Trevose) *** Please note the location change from previous meetings!

Eastern Region Fall Seminar (September 10 | TBD)

Northeast Region Fall Seminar (TBD)

Western Region Fall Seminar (August 27| Doubletree, Cranberry Twp.)

Annual State Conference (November 10-12 | Spooky Nook Sports, Manheim)

You can find registration and credit information on our website by clicking here!

The Eastern Division continues to hold its monthly meetings with varying topics of discussion on the second Thursday of every month in Trevose. For more information on monthly topics and speakers, contact Sue at (215) 331-1121.

For up-to-date information on the Spotted Lanternfly and the current quarantine zone, visit the PA Department of Agriculture's website at the link below.

PDA Spotted Lanternfly Page

The information below represents legislative activity (including bill introductions) that has occurred since the last newsletter. For a full listing of legislation that Versant is tracking for PPMA, please contact us at (717) 635-2320 or [email protected]. Activity marked HCO or SCO indicates a co-sponsorship memo which precedes the actual introduction of legislation and is designed to secure the support of other legislators prior to introduction as a bill.

HB 21 - Helm, Sue (R) - Amends the Engineer, Land Surveyor and Geologist Registration Law, providing for the regulation of the practice of home inspection; and making a related repeal.

This legislation is of particular interest to PPMA. The bill has passed through the House of Representatives and is now in the Senate for consideration.

HB 2091 - Zabel, Michael (D) - Amends the Pennsylvania Pesticide Control Act, providing for prohibited pesticides.

This bill has been referred to the House Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee where it awaits consideration. The bill would ban chlorpyrifos.

SB 941 - DiSanto, John (R) - Amends Real Estate Tax Law, in sale of property, providing for notice of sale, for deed, for hearing and order for judicial sale and for additional restrictions and providing for condemnation orders.

PPMA is working jointly with NPMA on this legislation to ensure that work regarding pests is completed by an appropriate professional.

HCO 1764 - Solomon, Jared (D) - Modernizes and overhauls the Landlord and Tenant Act.

The co-sponsorship memorandum has been filed. We await the filing of the legislation.

Over the last two weeks, many members of the legislature have introduced pieces of legislation to support Pennsylvania's businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, the PA legislature passed the following legislation:

We will continue to monitor and advocate for legislation that will support the pest control businesses in PA.

03-26-2020 Bill to postpone Pa. primary heads to governor's desk

Both chambers of Pennsylvania’s state legislature unanimously passed a bill on Wednesday that would move the state’s primary election from April 28 to June 2. The bill now awaits Gov. Tom Wolf’s signature. The governor had previously indicated that he would support the measure.... - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

03-26-2020 What counts as an essential business in 10 U.S. cities

During the coronavirus pandemic, which businesses and services should be considered essential? Most state and local officials nationwide agree that certain ones . grocery stores, banks, gas stations, laundromats, and trade services such as plumbing and electrical work . should make the list.... - Washington Post

03-16-2020 Perry, Juniata added to lanternfly quarantine

The state has added Perry and Juniata counties, as well as 10 others, to the quarantine zone for the spotted lanternfly, an invasive pest capable of damaging crops that’s been spreading across Pennsylvania in recent years. However, municipalities listed as having an infestation say they... - Penn Live, Patriot-News

03-05-2020 Lanternfly eggs must be destroyed, officials say

Scrape the eggs. Squash the bugs. Report everything. That’s what you should do if you see a spotted lanternfly or a mass of lanternfly eggs, according to the state Department of Agriculture. Spotted lanternflies — an invasive pest native to Asia that feasts on... - Wilkes-Barre Citizens' Voice

03-05-2020 Spotted lanternfly lands in Western Pa.; Allegheny, Beaver on list of quarantined counties

Western Pennsylvania residents are in for a rude awakening if the spotted lanternfly becomes as pervasive here as it is in the eastern part of the state. .Pittsburgh doesn.t yet understand the nuisance factor,. said Shannon Powers, spokeswoman for the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. .It.s... - Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

03-03-2020 PDA Adds 12 Counties to Pennsylvania's Spotted Lanternfly Quarantine

  (Press Release)