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Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act

12/15/2023, 3:58 PM

Summary of Bill HR 3482

Bill 118 HR 3482, also known as the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to establish a pilot program that would provide portable benefits to independent workers, such as freelancers, gig economy workers, and other self-employed individuals.

The bill aims to address the growing trend of independent work in the United States and the lack of traditional benefits, such as health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off, that are typically provided by employers to full-time employees. The Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act seeks to explore new ways to provide these benefits to independent workers in a way that is flexible and portable, allowing individuals to move between jobs and gigs without losing access to important benefits.

Under the pilot program outlined in the bill, a fund would be established to provide benefits to eligible independent workers. The program would be administered by a board of directors, which would oversee the fund and determine the eligibility criteria for participants. The bill also includes provisions for evaluating the effectiveness of the pilot program and making recommendations for potential expansion or modification of the program in the future. Overall, the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act is aimed at addressing the changing nature of work in the United States and providing support for independent workers who may not have access to traditional employer-provided benefits. The bill represents an effort to explore new ways to provide benefits to this growing segment of the workforce and ensure that all workers have access to important protections and support.

Congressional Summary of HR 3482

Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act

This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants for FY2024, on a competitive basis, to states, local governments, or nonprofit organizations to support broad innovation and experimentation with respect to portable benefits.

Portable benefits are work-related benefits that are provided to workers who are not traditional full-time employees in a manner that allows the worker to maintain the benefits upon changing jobs.

The grants must be used for (1) the evaluation, or improvement to the design or implementation, of existing models or approaches for providing portable benefits; or (2) the design, implementation, and evaluation of new models or approaches for providing such benefits. The grants may not be used for a model or approach that provides only retirement-related benefits.

The Government Accountability Office must evaluate and report to Congress on the outcome of the grants awarded pursuant to this bill.

Current Status of Bill HR 3482

Bill HR 3482 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 18, 2023. Bill HR 3482 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on May 18, 2023.  Bill HR 3482's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. as of May 18, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 3482

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
6
Democrat Cosponsors
6
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 3482

Primary Policy Focus

Labor and Employment

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 3482

Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act
Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act
To require the Secretary of Labor to establish a pilot program for providing portable benefits to eligible workers, and for other purposes.

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