HB 1245-FN (2026): relative to voluntary portable benefits plans for independent contractors.

HB 1245-FN (2026)

relative to voluntary portable benefits plans for independent contractors.

• Status: Signed into law
• Term: 2025-2026
• House committee: Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services
• Senate committee: Commerce
• Subject: Employment
• Chapter law: 220

The Story

It was introduced on January 7, 2026 and referred to the House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services committee. The committee held a public hearing on January 20, 2026, with 14 people signed in online: 9 in support and 5 in opposition. The committee met in executive session on February 10, 2026 to vote on its recommendation. The majority recommended that the House pass it with changes (amendment 2026-0237h), and the minority recommended that the House kill it, by a vote of 11–9. The report was placed on the regular calendar. The committee's amendment (2026-0237h) was adopted on a voice vote on March 12, 2026, changing the text of the bill. On March 12, 2026 the House voted to pass it with changes on a roll call 188–151. It crossed to the Senate on March 12, 2026 and was referred to the Senate Commerce committee. The committee held a public hearing on April 7, 2026. The committee voted 3–2 to recommend that the Senate pass it. On May 7, 2026 the Senate voted to pass it on a voice vote and ordered it to a third reading. The bill was enrolled on June 4, 2026 — the final check of the text before it goes to the governor — and an enrolled bill amendment (2026-2138e) was adopted on a voice vote to correct technical errors found after passage. The governor signed it on July 2, 2026, making it Chapter 220 of the session laws.

Sponsors

• Rep. Samuel Farrington (R - Straf 8) (prime sponsor)
• Rep. Michael Granger (R - Straf 2)
• Sen. Daniel Innis (R - SD7)
• Rep. Brian Labrie (R - Hills 2)
• Rep. Mark Warden (R - Hills 39)

Hearings and Sessions

• January 20, 2026, 2:30 PM: public hearing, House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services, GP 159
• February 10, 2026, 10:00 AM: executive session, House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services, GP 159
• March 12, 2026: floor debate, House
• April 7, 2026, 10:10 AM: hearing, Senate Commerce, SH 100
• May 7, 2026: floor debate, Senate

Votes

• March 12, 2026, House: Ought to Pass with Amendment — yeas 188, nays 151, passed
• May 7, 2026, Senate: Ought to Pass — voice vote, passed

The Docket

From the General Court

• Bill text
• Bill status page
• Docket
• HJ 1, page 12
• HC 10, page 60
• HJ 8, pages 18 and 19
• SJ 7
• SC 13
• SC 17
• SJ 11
• SJ 14
• HJ 15, pages 44 and 52