CHARLESTON, WV — Today, on the first day of West Virginia’s legislative session, Senator Patricia Puertas Rucker (Jefferson-16) introduces Senate Bill 68 modeled after Independent Women’s “Voluntary Portable Benefits Act,“ aimed at protecting worker freedom while expanding access to voluntary financial and healthcare benefits for independent workers.

Independent contractors are one of the fastest-growing segments of the American workforce and already make up nearly 100,000 West Virginia workers. Yet many are locked out of accessing popular worker benefits simply because they choose flexible, independent work.

Senator Rucker said, “There are nearly 100,000 independent workers in West Virginia deserving an opportunity to access benefits like health insurance and retirement. The Voluntary Portable Benefits Act creates an avenue for our non-traditional workforce to build better security for themselves and their families. I am proud to sponsor this innovative legislation and look forward to West Virginia leading the region with its passage.”

“Flexibility and freedom are important to women. That’s why so many women choose to work independently rather than in a traditional 9-to-5 job,” said Patrice Onwuka, director of Independent Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity. “Building greater security for independent contractors through portable benefits is a win for women.”

Onwuka added, “Independent Women applauds West Virginia for modernizing their labor laws to adjust to the realities of how many people work today. This bill demonstrates that the state can be responsive to its independent workforce without creating new mandates or increasing costly burdens on businesses.”

Last year, Independent Women unveiled its portable benefits model legislation as part of a multi-state initiative to ensure independent contractors can access voluntary benefits—such as health, disability, and retirement coverage—without sacrificing flexibility or risking worker misclassification. 

West Virginia’s effort builds upon the momentum in states such as Tennessee and Alabama, where portable benefits frameworks have been championed and advanced. 

Research from the Mercatus Center underscores the impact of these programs: 73% of respondents report feeling more financially secure, and 91%  said they would feel more secure if the pilot program were made permanent. Nearly 75% of respondents who previously lacked access to benefits gained coverage they would otherwise not have had.

If enacted, West Virginia would become one of the earliest adopters of Independent Women’s portable benefits model, positively affecting the lives of West Virginia’s freelancers and independent contractors

In addition to advancing its model legislation across the country, Independent Women is amplifying the voices of independent workers through its national storytelling drive: “Your Work. Your Benefits. Your Story.” These firsthand accounts highlight the urgent need to expand access to portable benefits to meet the needs of today’s rapidly evolving workforce. 

See below to learn more about Independent Women’s already-established work to protect independent contractors and freelancers across the country:

Direct media inquiries and booking requests to [email protected]. 

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