Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act
S 1696 (Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act) establishes a federal pilot program to help independent workers - such as freelancers, contractors, and temporary workers - access portable benefits like health insurance, retirement savings, and workers' compensation. The bill authorizes $20 million in fiscal year 2023 to award competitive grants to state/local governments or nonprofits for developing or improving models that provide these benefits, which workers can retain when changing jobs. Grants cannot fund models offering only retirement benefits, and the program requires a 2025 evaluation by the Comptroller General to assess impacts on worker compensation. This pilot aims to test scalable solutions for a growing segment of the workforce lacking traditional employment benefits.
Bill status
in committee
1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
May 2023
Committee Review
Floor Vote
President
Introduced May 18, 2023
Last action May 18, 2023
Floor votes
How they voted
No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
2
Key actions
0
Committee
1
May 18, 2023
Committee
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
upper
May 18, 2023
Introduced
Introduced in Senate
upper
1 primary · 5 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Ask Maddy
·
AI policy assistant
Ask Maddy about S 1696
Scope: US
Hi! I can help you understand S 1696. What would you like to know?
Try one of these
i
Maddy answers using official bill text and legislative records. Always verify before sharing.
Sources cited inline