AN ACT RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PORTABLE BENEFIT PLAN (Establishes a voluntary portable benefit plan for independent contractors.)

H7365

2026 -- H 7365
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LC004321
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STATE OF RHODE ISLAND
IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY
JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2026
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A N A C T
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PORTABLE BENEFIT PLAN

Introduced By:
Representatives Place, Quattrocchi, Nardone, Hopkins, Fascia, Santucci,
Chippendale, and Paplauskas

Date Introduced:
January 28, 2026

Referred To:
House Labor
It is enacted by the General Assembly as follows:
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SECTION 1. Title 28 of the General Laws entitled "LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS"
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is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:
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CHAPTER 61
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PORTABLE BENEFIT PLAN
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28-61-1. Definitions.

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As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meaning ascribed to them in this
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section, except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning:
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(1) "Hiring party" means a person who hires or enters into a contract with an independent
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contractor.
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(2) "Independent contractor" means any person determined to be an independent
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contractor, pursuant to the provisions of § 28-42-7.
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(3) "Portable benefit plan" means a group that offers an insurance product, regulated by
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title 27 (“insurance”), or chapters 42 through 44 of title 28 (“employment security”) and is assigned
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to an individual beneficiary and is not associated with a specific employer or hiring party.
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28-61-2. Administration -- Assignment of benefits -- Portability.

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(a) A governmental entity or private entity voluntarily may offer a portable benefit plan.
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(b) Contributions to a portable benefit plan shall be voluntary and may not be used as a
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criterion for determining a person's employment classification.
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(c) A portable benefit plan for the benefit of an individual beneficiary shall not be construed

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as evidence of employer liability, and a court may not construe the contribution as an element of
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an employment relationship for purposes of employer lability to include, but not be limited to, the
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provisions of workers’ compensation, employment security or the provisions of title 28.
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SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon passage.
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EXPLANATION
BY THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL
OF
A N A C T
RELATING TO LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS -- PORTABLE BENEFIT PLAN
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This act would establish a voluntary portable benefit plan for independent contractors.
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This act would take effect upon passage.
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