Bill > H1252

This bill seeks to amend Massachusetts insurance law by explicitly adding "gender identity" as a protected characteristic across several sections of Chapter 175 of the General Laws. The bill first provides a comprehensive definition of gender identity as a person's gender-related identity, appearance, or behavior, which may differ from their assigned sex at birth. This definition allows for multiple forms of evidence to demonstrate gender identity, including medical history, consistent assertion of identity, and other evidence showing that the identity is sincerely held as part of a person's core identity. The bill specifically adds "gender identity" as a protected category in various sections of insurance law, which means insurance companies cannot discriminate against individuals based on their gender identity in areas such as policy issuance, coverage, and other insurance-related practices. By inserting "gender identity" alongside existing protected characteristics like sex, the bill aims to provide legal protection for transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in insurance contexts. The provisions of this bill are set to take effect on January 1, 2026, giving insurance providers and stakeholders time to prepare for the new legal requirements.

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https://malegislature.gov/Bills/194/H1252