Governor Newsom has issued an Executive Order suspending requirements for renewing drivers licenses is suspended through June 30, 2020.  Renewal of Department of Motor Vehicle identification cards and vehicle registration is suspended for 60 days.  Vehicle registration requirements are suspended through May 31, 2020.  Any late fees or penalties are waived as long as payment for the renewal is made within 60 days of the original date of expiration.  (Executive Order N-54-20, April 22, 2020.)

Governor Newsom has issued an executive order that CARES Act stimulus payments and any other payments in response to COVID-19 are exempt from attachment, levy, execution, or garnishment without a claim. This includes financial institution offsets and liens for including fees charged to or debts arising from the account in which the funds are held.  Only exceptions are for child support, spousal support or criminal restitution payable to victims.  Any money collected prior to the date of the order must be return without any further action.  (Executive Order N-57-20, April 23, 2020.)

The Department of Developmental Services (DDS) has issued a directive regarding admissions to and discharges from facilities under its jurisdiction.  DDS is now denying admission and delaying discharge from the Porterville Developmental Center, the Canyon Springs Community Facility and all Stabilization, Training, Assistance and Reintegration homes under its jurisdiction and control.

DDS and Regional Center staff can continue to prepare for admissions and discharges.  For people in community transition planning, the regional resource development project will have conversations to ensure where feasible that such planning continues.  (Regional Center Executive Directors Letter, March 25, 2020, extended to May 20, 2020.)

The Department of Insurance (DOI) has orders insurers to make premium refunds for March and April, 2020 because of COVID-19 because of curtailed activities of policyholders.  These refunds are for private auto insurance, commercial auto insurance, workers’ compensation insurance, commercial multiple peril insurance, commercial liability insurance, medical malpractice insurance, and any other line of coverage where measures of risk have become substantially overstated because of COVID-19.

Insurers can reclassify exposure or reduce the exposure base (miles driven, payroll receipt etc) without prior approval of rates or rules by DOI if done consistent with the insurer’s existing rate plan.

Insurers may refund premium without prior DOI approval if they apply a uniform premium reduction for all policyholders in an individual line of insurance.  The amount of the refund can be an average percentage based on estimated change in risk and/or reduction in exposure base.

Alternatively, insurers can reassess the classification and exposure bases of affected risks on a case-by-case basis. For example, an insurer could reclassify a personal automobile exposure from commute use to pleasure use and reduce estimated miles driven accordingly for the duration of COVID-19.

Insurers must provide each affected policyholder a notice of the amount of the refund, and a check, premium credit, reduction, return of premium or other adjustment within 120 days.  Insurers must report to DOI actions taken and planned to refund premiums within 60 days. (Bulletin 2020-3, April 13, 2020.)