Establishes a voluntary portable benefit plan for independent contractors.

Plain-English Summary

This bill would create a new type of benefits program specifically designed for independent contractors in Rhode Island — people like freelancers, gig workers, and self-employed individuals who don't have a traditional employer. Unlike regular employees, these workers typically don't have access to workplace benefits like health insurance, paid leave, or retirement plans. This bill would establish a "portable benefit plan," meaning the benefits would follow the worker from job to job rather than being tied to any single employer.

The program would be voluntary, so independent contractors could choose whether or not to participate — no one would be required to sign up. The bill would set up a framework for how these benefits could be funded and managed, allowing workers to build up a personal benefits account that they could use regardless of who they're working for at any given time.

This bill would primarily affect the growing number of Rhode Islanders who work as independent contractors, including rideshare drivers, delivery workers, freelance professionals, and others in the gig economy. It could also involve businesses that hire independent contractors, depending on how the final funding structure is designed.

Currently, the bill has been referred to the House Labor Committee and recommended for further study, meaning lawmakers are still reviewing and discussing the proposal before deciding whether to move it forward. It has not yet been passed into law.