NASHVILLE, TN — Independent Women applauds the Tennessee General Assembly for the bipartisan passage of the “Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act” (HB 0494/SB 1377) and Governor Bill Lee for signing this legislation into law today. This is a welcome step to providing the state’s independent workforce with access to critical benefits, such as health insurance, unemployment insurance, disability insurance, life insurance, and retirement benefits without losing their work flexibility.
Patrice Onwuka, director of Independent Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity, said, “We applaud Governor Lee and the Tennessee legislature for leading the state into the modern age of work. The traditional 9-5 model of employment may work for some people, but for many professionals and freelancers, especially women, their unique personal circumstances call for flexibility. Portable benefits is a common sense, bipartisan solution to provide flexible workers with economic security while respecting their independent contractor status.”
Michelle Parker, Independent Women’s Network chapter leader in Nashville, Tennessee, said, “Thanks to Senator Watson, Representative Baum, and the Tennessee General Assembly for its bipartisan passage of common-sense legislation that makes it easier for independent workers, women, and mothers, like me, who need flexible work. And thank you to Governor Lee for his signature. Now over 1.5 million independent contractors in Tennessee don’t have to give up their workplace flexibility to receive necessary benefits.”
Scott Gilmer, vice president of policy and advocacy for Beacon Impact, said, “This landmark legislation is a significant step forward for Tennessee’s independent contractors, who make up more than half a million self-employed workers. This new law is expected to expand opportunities for independent workers while maintaining their employment flexibility. We commend Tennessee lawmakers for their commitment to this important issue. This is a monumental achievement for our state, and we are excited to see the positive impact it will have on our communities and economy.”
Independent contractors are hardworking men and women who choose to work independently rather than, or sometimes alongside, traditional employment. Nearly half of these freelancers nationwide are women—many of whom choose independent work to provide flexibility for other priorities, like caring for children or aging parents. Yet companies are legally prohibited from offering workplace benefits to freelancers, as they are non-employees.
Tennessee’s forward-thinking portable benefit legislation addresses this issue by removing legal barriers that prevent companies from offering workplace benefits to their freelancers without triggering worker reclassification.
Earlier this year, Independent Women issued a formal letter to House and Senate members, highlighting how portable benefits support entrepreneurship and women seeking workplace flexibility and meet the needs of the self-employed, freelancers, and gig workers across the state.
Independent Women has been a leading voice in support of HB 0494/SB 1377, mobilizing its grassroots advocacy arm, Independent Women’s Network, driving letters of support from Tennesseans to members of the General Assembly.
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