H.R. 1319 · 119th Congress · House

Modern Worker Empowerment Act

Active· Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-505.
Introduced
Feb 13, 25
Passed House
Pending
Passed Senate
Pending
Sent to President
Pending
Signed into Law
Pending

Executive Summary

This bill specifies a legal standard for determining whether an individual is considered an independent contractor rather than an employee for the purposes of federal labor laws that address issues such as the federal minimum wage, overtime compensation, and collective bargaining. The rights and protections provided by these laws exclusively apply to employees.

Under the bill, an individual is considered an independent contractor if (1) another individual or entity does not exercise significant control over the details of how the individual's work is performed, without regard to any control the other individual or entity may exercise over the final result of the work performed; and (2) while performing such work, the individual has opportunities and risks inherent with entrepreneurship (for example, the discretion to exercise professional judgment).

The bill also sets forth factors that may not be used to determine whether an individual is an employee. Specifically, factors such as whether another individual or entity requires the individual to meet certain legal, health and safety, insurance, or performance requirements may not be used to make such a determination.

Action Timeline

6
  1. FEB 20, 2026House floor actions

    Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 431.

  2. FEB 20, 2026Library of Congress

    Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Workforce. H. Rept. 119-505.

    119Yea
    505Nay
    0NV
  3. JUL 23, 2025House committee actions

    Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute by the Yeas and Nays: 19 - 16.

    19Yea
    16Nay
    0NV
  4. JUL 23, 2025House committee actions

    Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held

  5. FEB 13, 2025House floor actions

    Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

  6. FEB 13, 2025Library of Congress

    Introduced in House

Committees

2

Education and Workforce Committee

hsed00

Referred: Feb 20, 2026

Active

Education and Workforce Committee

hsed00

Referred: Jul 23, 2025

Active