Bill · H.R. 8272· House(119-HR-8272)
To classify qualified locum tenens professionals and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for the purposes of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act.
- Introduced
- 4/14/2026
- Last activity
- 4/14/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Burgess Owens
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill seeks to change how certain medical workers are classified under federal law. It would classify qualified locum tenens professionals and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors rather than employees. This classification would apply to the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 and the National Labor Relations Act. The bill specifically targets those providing temporary services, such as workforce coverage or scheduling flexibility. To qualify, the services must be provided for no more than one continuous year at a single site. Additionally, the worker must have a written contract stating they will not be treated as an employee.
Yes
Would business owners be better off under this?+4
The bill allows healthcare entities to utilize medical professionals as independent contractors rather than employees, potentially reducing administrative and employer obligations.
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+2
The classification aims to facilitate workforce coverage and scheduling flexibility for temporary medical services.
The opposite
Does this strengthen the rights of workers to organise?-6
The bill removes coverage under the National Labor Relations Act for specified medical professionals, which limits their rights to organize and bargain collectively.
Would union members be better off under this?-5
The bill excludes specific medical professionals from the protections of the National Labor Relations Act, which impacts labor organizing efforts.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Flexibility for Providers: The bill covers individuals providing services for workforce coverage, scheduling flexibility, or episodic staffing needs (Section 1(b)(1)). This could benefit medical professionals seeking specific types of work arrangements.
-
Clear Classification for Temporary Staff: By establishing a specific definition for qualified locum tenens professionals or advanced care practitioners, the bill provides a framework for those working at a single site for up to one continuous year (Section 1(b)(1)(A)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Loss of Employee Protections: Under this bill, these professionals would not be considered employees of the entity they are serving (Section 1(a)). This means they would not be covered under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 or the National Labor Relations Act (Section 1(a)(1)-(2)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Union Protections-6
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Business Owners+4Good For Union Workers-5
- 6/9/2026
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 4/14/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Glenn GrothmanRepublican · Wisconsin