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H 1820

An Act providing increased protections from harassment and discrimination on the basis of height

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Kushmerek and 1 co-sponsor

Bill H 1820 protects individuals from harassment and discrimination based on height in Massachusetts, impacting education, employment, and hate crime laws.

Hearing rescheduled to 11/25/2025 from 10:00 AM-05:00 PM in A-2 and Virtual Hearing updated to New End Time
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Bill Summary · H 1820

Summary of Bill H 1820: An Act Providing Increased Protections from Harassment and Discrimination on the Basis of Height

Purpose and Intent

Bill H 1820 aims to enhance legal protections against harassment and discrimination based on height in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The bill seeks to amend existing laws to include height as a protected characteristic, thereby addressing biases and prejudices that individuals may face due to their height.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes several amendments to various sections of the Massachusetts General Laws, specifically focusing on the inclusion of "height" in the definitions and protections against discrimination and hate crimes. The key provisions include:

  1. Definition of Hate Crime:

    • Amends the definition of "hate crime" in Section 32 of Chapter 22C to explicitly include height as a basis for discrimination alongside other characteristics such as race, religion, and gender.

  2. Educational Protections:

    • Updates Sections 37O and 89 of Chapter 71 to include height as a protected characteristic in educational settings, ensuring that students are safeguarded from discrimination based on their height.

  3. Employment Protections:

    • Amends Chapter 151B to incorporate height as a protected category, thereby prohibiting discrimination in employment practices based on an individual's height.

  4. Criminal Law Amendments:

    • Updates various sections of Chapters 265 and 269 to include height in the context of harassment and discrimination, reinforcing legal consequences for actions motivated by height prejudice.

  5. Regulatory Authority:

    • Empowers the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination to adopt rules and regulations to implement the provisions of the bill effectively.

Who Would Be Affected

The bill would impact a wide range of individuals and entities, including:
- Individuals: Anyone who may face discrimination or harassment due to their height, including students, employees, and members of the public.
- Educational Institutions: Schools and universities would need to ensure compliance with the new protections in their policies and practices.
- Employers: Businesses would be required to revise their hiring and workplace policies to prevent height discrimination.

Procedural Aspects

  • Introduced: February 27, 2025
  • Committee Referral: The bill has been referred to the Committee on The Judiciary.
  • Hearing Scheduled: A public hearing is set for November 25, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM in Room A-2, where stakeholders can provide input on the bill.

Conclusion

Bill H 1820 represents a significant step towards ensuring that individuals are protected from discrimination based on height, aligning Massachusetts law with broader anti-discrimination principles. By including height as a protected characteristic, the bill aims to foster a more inclusive environment in educational and workplace settings.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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