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Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act

3/12/2024, 7:25 AM

Summary of Bill S 1696

Bill 118 s 1696, 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 gig economy workers, freelancers, and contractors.

The bill aims to address the growing number of workers who do not have access to traditional employee benefits, such as health insurance, retirement savings, and paid time off. By creating a pilot program, lawmakers hope to test different models for providing these benefits to independent workers in a way that is flexible and sustainable.

Under the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act, the Department of Labor would be responsible for administering the program and working with state and local governments, as well as private sector organizations, to develop and implement the pilot program. The bill also includes provisions for evaluating the effectiveness of the program and making recommendations for potential expansion or improvement. Overall, the Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act seeks to explore innovative solutions for providing benefits to workers in the gig economy and other non-traditional employment arrangements. By creating a pilot program, lawmakers hope to gather data and insights that can inform future policy decisions related to the changing nature of work in the United States.

Congressional Summary of S 1696

Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act

This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants for FY2023, 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 S 1696

Bill S 1696 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since May 18, 2023. Bill S 1696 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the Senate on May 18, 2023.  Bill S 1696's most recent activity was Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. as of May 18, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill S 1696

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
10
Democrat Cosponsors
2
Republican Cosponsors
6
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
2

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 1696

Primary Policy Focus

Labor and Employment

Alternate Title(s) of Bill S 1696

Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act
Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act
A bill 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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