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Portable benefits bill draws industry, labor and insurance scrutiny in long hearing
Summary
H.B. 12‑45 would let independent contractors hold 'portable' benefit accounts employers can contribute to without triggering reclassification; backers said it preserves flexibility while expanding access, while insurance and labor officials raised solvency, federal preemption and misclassification concerns.
Representative Brian Labrie introduced H.B. 12‑45, the Voluntary Portable Benefits Act, proposing worker‑owned accounts into which contractors or contracting firms could deposit dollars for health, retirement and other benefits that travel with the worker.
Sponsor remarks described the policy as voluntary and aimed at preserving independence while letting contractors accumulate benefit dollars. “This bill allows for the creation of portable benefits … the worker owns the bucket and takes it with them from job to job,” Labrie said.
Supporters from multiple organizations…
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