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:

     SECTION 1. Title 28 of the General Laws entitled "LABOR AND LABOR RELATIONS"

is hereby amended by adding thereto the following chapter:

CHAPTER 61

PORTABLE BENEFIT PLAN

     28-61-1. Definitions.

     As used in this chapter, the following terms have the meaning ascribed to them in this

section, except when the context clearly indicates a different meaning:

     (1) "Hiring party" means a person who hires or enters into a contract with an independent

contractor.

     (2) "Independent contractor" means any person determined to be an independent

contractor, pursuant to the provisions of § 28-42-7.

     (3) "Portable benefit plan" means a group that offers an insurance product, regulated by

title 27 (“insurance”), or chapters 42 through 44 of title 28 (“employment security”) and is assigned

to an individual beneficiary and is not associated with a specific employer or hiring party.

     28-61-2. Administration -- Assignment of benefits -- Portability.

     (a) A governmental entity or private entity voluntarily may offer a portable benefit plan.

     (b) Contributions to a portable benefit plan shall be voluntary and may not be used as a

criterion for determining a person's employment classification.

     (c) A portable benefit plan for the benefit of an individual beneficiary shall not be construed

as evidence of employer liability, and a court may not construe the contribution as an element of

an employment relationship for purposes of employer lability to include, but not be limited to, the

provisions of workers’ compensation, employment security or the provisions of title 28.

     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.

     This act would take effect upon passage.

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