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HD 1663

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

Massachusetts bill would add height as a protected class in employment, housing, and public accommodations, enabling legal action against height-based discrimination and harassment.

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Bill Summary · HD 1663

Legislative bill overview

HD 1663 would add height to the list of protected classes under Massachusetts anti-discrimination and anti-harassment law, similar to existing protections for race, color, religion, national origin, and other characteristics. The bill would extend these protections across employment, housing, public accommodations, education, and credit practices.

Why is this important

Height-based discrimination, while less commonly litigated than other forms of discrimination, can have tangible effects on employment opportunities, workplace treatment, and access to services. This bill would provide legal recourse for individuals who face documented discrimination or harassment based on height, creating enforceable standards and potential remedies through existing state enforcement mechanisms.

Potential points of contention

  • Scope and feasibility: Critics may argue that height is a visible, immutable characteristic but question whether it's comparable to historically marginalized groups, and whether enforcement mechanisms can practically address height-based claims versus other discrimination types
  • Business compliance burden: Employers and housing providers may worry about ambiguous standards—whether there are legitimate height requirements for certain jobs (safety, uniform fitting) and how to distinguish lawful occupational needs from unlawful discrimination
  • Definitional challenges: The bill would need clear parameters on what constitutes actionable height-based discrimination versus preference or job-related requirements, and whether it applies to all heights or specific ranges

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

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