Singleton Bill to Allow Freelance Workers to Have Portable Benefits in Between Employment Passes Committee

Trenton – Legislation sponsored by Senator Troy Singleton, which would establish a system for portable benefits for workers who provide services to consumers through contracting agents, passed the Senate Labor Committee today.

Portable benefits are benefits that can be tied to the person, not the job, and thus can be carried into a new job.

“New technology has yielded a modern economy that allows greater flexibility for independent contractors, but because many of their jobs do not come with health insurance, retirement plans or paid leave, these workers are more vulnerable than many of their counterparts in the traditional workforce,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “The way that people work may be transforming, but the notion that all workers deserve to be treated with respect and should have access to benefits that will foster their long-term well-being has not changed.”

The bill, S-943, would establish a system to provide portable benefits for certain workers.  The benefits would be funded by employer contributions to “qualified benefits providers”, and which would in turn be required to provide certain benefits to the covered workers. Contributions would only be required for services that are provided to consumers in New Jersey, and they would be permitted to add the contribution amount to the bill or invoice submitted to the consumer.

The bill was released from committee by a vote of 3-1.