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We recently posted about the steps you can take to minimize late payments and avoid nonpayment from flakey clients. Our friends at the Freelancers Union have been thinking about the same issues and over the past year, they’ve been pushing for new legislation in New York City protecting freelancers and providing recourse if you end up in a bad client situation. The time for a vote is just around the corner and we all have a chance to do our part in making sure the Freelance Isn’t Free Act is passed! For all of our NYC freelancers, this is one of the most important steps you can take to make sure you don’t get stiffed again. Even if you’re not in NYC, this legislation is still super important as it could serve as a model for YOUR city and others across the globe.

We read through the act itself and you can do the same [here]. (It’s totally worth the read if you’re kinda nerdy and like this stuff like we do.) If you’re NOT like us, that probably good and exactly why we pulled a couple points we really dig and wanted to share.

1) Any person or company who hires a freelance working must execute a written contract detailing the scope of work being performed, payment method, and when payment is due.

2) Payment in full will be required within 30 days of the completion of the project or of the payment due date, whichever is later.

3) If there is a breach of the above terms, the bill could be enforced by the Office of Labor Standards or such entity as the mayor may designate - freelancers would no longer be left to fend for themselves!

How can you help?

-Sign this petition to show your support for the Freelance Isn’t Free Act.

-You can read more about the legislation at The New York City Councilhere or here on the Freelancer’s Union blog.

-Share with your friends, peers, and colleagues so this bill actually gets the support it needs to make all of our lives better.

A guest post by Painless1099.

Read more from them here: http://blog.painless1099.com/