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H 2501

An Act relative to LGBTQ+ health disparities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Mike Connolly and 4 co-sponsors

Requires voluntary collection of deidentified SOGI data across state agencies, schools, and higher ed to inform policy and reduce LGBTQ+ health disparities.

Reporting date extended to Friday, July 31, 2026
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Bill Summary · H 2501

Summary of House Bill H.2501: An Act relative to LGBTQ+ health disparities

Overview

H.2501, introduced February 27, 2025 by Representative Samantha Montaño, seeks to reduce LGBTQ+ health disparities in Massachusetts by requiring voluntary self-identification data on sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) to be collected by state agencies, public schools, and higher education institutions. The bill would require annual, aggregate, deidentified data reporting to inform policy, program development, and quality improvement in health and related services. It is currently reported favorably by a committee and referred to the Health Care Financing Committee.

What the bill would do

  • Add a new data-collection provision (Chapter 6A, Section 16AA½) to authorize voluntary SOGI self-identification data collection by the executive office of health and human services and associated departments.

    • Data collection would occur in two main contexts:
    • In federal programs or surveys administered by the Commonwealth, where the federal program defines the categories.
    • In direct services to residents aged 16 and older.
    • The Office of Health Equity would develop a training plan and guidelines for inviting SOGI data and would distribute these to the Executive Office of Education and the Department of Transportation.
    • Agencies would annually report aggregate, deidentified SOGI data and any resulting service or program modifications to the Office of Health Equity.
    • The Office would compile an annual report for legislators by December 31, including data, methodology, and policy implications, shared with specified committees.
    • Data would be publicly available in aggregate form, with personal identifiers kept confidential and data aggregated to prevent identification.

  • Add an education-specific data provision (Chapter 69, Section 1U):

    • The Secretary of Education, in coordination with the Office of Health Equity, would collect voluntary SOGI data from public school districts to reduce disparities.
    • Annual aggregate, deidentified data would be provided to the Office of Health Equity, along with any program changes prompted by the data.
    • Data handling would follow privacy provisions in 16AA½.

  • Add a higher-education data provision (Chapter 15A, Section 5B):

    • The Commissioner of Higher Education would collect voluntary SOGI data from students served by the Department of Higher Education, subject to the same privacy requirements.
    • Annual aggregate data would be provided to the Office of Health Equity, with appropriate protections.

Who/what would be affected

  • State agencies identified in Section 16AA½ (including health and human services entities)
  • Office of Health Equity
  • Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and public school districts
  • Department of Higher Education and colleges/universities served by the DOE
  • The executive, legislative, and educational systems involved in data collection, reporting, and policy development

Implementation timeline

  • Section 16AA½ takes effect one year after enactment.
  • Section 1U (education data) takes effect 18 months after enactment.
  • Section 5B (higher education data) takes effect 18 months after enactment.

Legislative context

  • Legislative actions show initial referral to Public Health, hearings scheduled in mid-2025, and eventual favorable reporting by committee with referral to Health Care Financing.
  • Related bill: HD 4136 (replaces).

Potential impact and considerations

  • Positive: improves visibility into LGBTQ+ health disparities, informs targeted policy and program improvements, enhances data-driven decision-making, and supports equity in health services.
  • Privacy safeguards: emphasizes voluntary participation, de-identification, aggregation to protect individuals, and restricted data use for specified purposes.
  • Implementation burden: requires development of training plans and data-collection processes across multiple agencies and educational institutions.

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

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