HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2223        FILED ON: 2/17/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1822

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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PRESENTED BY:

Tram T. Nguyen

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To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General
Court assembled:

The undersigned legislators and/or citizens respectfully petition for the adoption of the accompanying bill:

An Act prohibiting body size discrimination.

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PETITION OF:

HOUSE DOCKET, NO. 2223        FILED ON: 2/17/2021

HOUSE  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  No. 1822

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts

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In the One Hundred and Ninety-Second General Court
(2021-2022)

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An Act prohibiting body size discrimination.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:
 

SECTION 1. Section 89 of chapter 71 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “identity,”, in lines 98 and 349, in each instance, the following words:- “height or weight,”.

SECTION 2. Section 5 of chapter 76 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “identity,”, in line 11, the following words:- “height or weight,”.

SECTION 3. Section 12B of said chapter 76 of the General Laws, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “identity,”, in line 11, the following words:- “height or weight,”.

SECTION 4. Section 1 of chapter 151B of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the definition of “genetic test” the following 2 definitions:- 

The term “height” means a numerical measurement of total body height, or an individual’s unique physical composition of height through body size, shape, and proportions. “Height” encompasses, but is not limited to, an impression of a person as tall or short regardless of numerical measurement, including the length of a person’s limbs in proportion to the person’s body.

The term “weight” means a numerical measurement of total body weight, the ratio of a person’s weight in relation to height, or an individual’s unique composition of weight through body size, shape, and proportions. “Weight” encompasses, but is not limited to, an impression of a person as fat or thin regardless of the numerical measurement of weight.

SECTION 5. Section 3 of said chapter 151B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “identity,”, in lines 17 and 64, in each instance, the following words:- “height or weight, unless for the purposes of compliance with any established state, federal, or industry safety standard,”.

SECTION 6. Section 4 of said chapter 151B, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “identity,”, in lines 3, 187, 202, 210, 221, 230, 264, 291, 298, 309, 359, 367, 377, 477, 488, 493, 500, 633, 644, 655, 821, and 831, in each instance, the following words:- “height or weight, unless for the purposes of compliance with any established state, federal, or industry safety standard,”.

SECTION 7. Section 2 of chapter 151C of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “race,”, in lines 5 and 18, in each instance, the following words:- “height or weight,”.

SECTION 8. Section 2A of said chapter 151C, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “race,”, in lines 9 and 15, in each instance, the following words:- “height or weight,”.

SECTION 9. Section 2 of chapter 151E of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “sex,”, in lines 14 and 22, in each instance, the following words:- “height or weight, unless for the purposes of compliance with any established state, federal, or industry safety standard,”.

SECTION 10. Section 92A of chapter 272 of the General Laws, as appearing in the 2018 Official Edition, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “identity,”, in line 10, the following words:- “height or weight, unless for the purposes of compliance with any established state, federal, or industry safety standard,”.

SECTION 11. Section 98 of said chapter 272, as so appearing, is hereby amended by inserting after the word “identity,”, in line 3, the following words:- “height or weight, unless for the purposes of compliance with any established state, federal, or industry safety standard,”.