CHARLESTON, WV — Today West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey signed House Bill 4009 into law, delivering on his commitment to modernize workforce policy for the state’s 95,000+ independent contractors.
HB 4009, modeled after Independent Women’s “Voluntary Portable Benefits Act,” empowers independent workers to secure vital worker benefits while protecting the freedom and flexibility that define freelance work. Signed today, it is a critical piece of the Governor’s Workforce Readiness and Opportunity Act and his 2026 legislative priorities.
Crucially, the legislation explicitly protects independent contractor classification under wage, unemployment insurance, workers’ compensation, and other employment related laws, eliminating legal barriers that previously discouraged companies from offering benefits to independent workers.
West Virginia is now the fifth state to enact portable benefits legislation, thanks to Governor Morrisey’s leadership in supporting innovative solutions for the modern economy and expanding worker freedom as one of the earliest adopters of Independent Women’s portable benefits model.
Morrisey is the first governor in the country to announce portable benefits as a key priority during his State of the State Address to kick off West Virginia’s legislative session.
Governor Patrick Morrisey said, “West Virginia continues to lead with innovative policies to modernize our workforce and strengthen our economy, which is why I was proud to see my Workforce Readiness and Opportunity initiatives pass the Legislature. I also want to thank the team at Independent Women for their advocacy on voluntary portable benefits, a reform that protects our growing independent workforce and provides a pathway for these hardworking individuals to access benefits similar to those offered in traditional employment. These efforts will help more West Virginians find opportunity, build careers, and succeed in today’s economy.”
Now signed into law, the bill creates a voluntary framework allowing West Virginia’s independent workers to establish portable benefit plans while ensuring those benefits remain fully owned and controlled by the worker.
Benefits for independent workers include:
- retirement savings
- health insurance
- disability coverage
- life insurance
“Governor Morrisey’s recognition of flexibility and freedom being important to women is just one of the many reasons West Virginia continues to lead in innovative economic growth solutions.” said Patrice Onwuka, director of Independent Women’s Center for Economic Opportunity and author of this model legislation. “Many women choose to work independently rather than in a traditional 9-to-5 job. Through the ‘Voluntary Portable Benefits Act,’ West Virginia will build greater security for independent contractors, which is a win for women. Governor Morrisey, and the full West Virginia legislature, are true champions for the people of West Virginia for enacting this important legislation.”
West Virginia, home to 605 members of Independent Women’s Network, joins Alabama, Tennessee, Utah, and Wyoming in enacting Voluntary Portable Benefits and strengthening economic opportunity for independent workers.
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