I don't know if there are, but the idea seems like a complete non-starter in the USA. I don't see any reason to forbid two willing parties from entering into an agreement that includes a non-compete provision.
I can maybe see some rationale for restrictions in standard employment situations. But for contract work? If you don't like the terms, don't accept.
Please, this is a very old topic.
The way society is currently configured, at some point, for all practical purposes, you are effectively forced to take some kind of job. Or see your life turn into living hell in a whole bunch of ways. Which means that the idea that both parties are truly "willing" parties (let alone have more or less equal leverage in) the negotiation, at the very least -- needs to be radically revisited.
But for contract work? If you don't like the terms, don't accept.
"And don't pay the rent, and don't feed your kids" you mean.
Work contracts are not a negotiation. There is no back and fourth to an agreement. I've gotten non-competes removed from some contracts, but I'm an exception because 1) I'm in IT and highly skilled and 2) I actually read my contracts.
And even then, in two cases they wouldn't change anything about the contracts and I had to walk from those jobs. Anyone who doesn't work in tech or another high income job does NOT have that option.
Work contracts in western countries are rarely ever between equal parities.
Because they're inherently abusive, and there's absolutely nothing in it for the employee? I mean, when you have a sandwich shop pushing non-competes on their employees, then you know they are fucking nuts.
If you do see the reason for any of those things, then surely you can see it's just a question of where the line is best drawn to create a just society.
Right now the employer can claim that your severance pay is your consideration for the noncompete period.
Basically, if the non-compete clause actually cost them something, you would only see it in cases where it mattered.
In cases of layoffs (vs resignation) where severance would be due non-competes are almost always voided. You would only see it if the severance package were substantial.
I've refused to sign non-competes myself, and have written about it previously[1]. In the past it really hasn't been a problem. People have typically changed their contracts when I bring it up. But in the past year, I had to walk away from two different jobs because of their refusal to remove non-compete language from their contracts.
Are there any groups working on getting national/federal regulations changed to invalidate or ban non-compete agreements? I'd want to contribute to such causes.
[1]: https://penguindreams.org/blog/why-i-dont-sign-non-competes/