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HD 4136

An Act relative to LGBTQ+ health disparities

194th Legislature (2025-2026) Introduced by Sam Montaño

Requires state agencies to collect voluntary SOGI data to map LGBTQ+ health needs and guide policy, care, and funding, with privacy safeguards and annual reports.

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Bill Summary · HD 4136

Summary: An Act relative to LGBTQ+ health disparities (House Docket No. 4136)

Status: Not specified in the provided text; introduced in the 2025-2026 General Court session. The version attached is House Docket No. 4136, filed Jan. 17, 2025, by Rep. Samantha Montaño.

Purpose and intent

  • To reduce disparities in health care and related services for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and other LGBTQ+ individuals.
  • Achieves this by requiring state agencies to collect voluntary self-identification information (sexual orientation and gender identity, SOGI) and by embedding data-driven approaches in education, higher education, and health services to guide policy, care coordination, and program improvements.

Key provisions

New data collection framework in health and human services (Chapter 6A)

  • Inserts Section 16AA½. Agencies must collect voluntary SOGI data when:
    • Conducted as part of federal programs or surveys with defined demographic categories, or
    • Providing direct services to residents aged 16 and older.
  • Office of Health Equity (OHE) must:
    • Develop a training plan and guidelines for inviting SOGI data and for cultural competence.
    • Distribute training/guidance to the Executive Office of Education and Department of Transportation.
    • Compile annual, aggregate, deidentified SOGI data and any service/program changes resulting from data.
    • Prepare an annual report due to key legislative committees by December 31 each year.
    • Ensure transparency and privacy: data submitted to the Legislature; make data public where allowed by law, excluding personal identifiers; aggregate data to protect individuals.

Data handling and privacy

  • Data collected may only be used for demographic analysis, coordination of care, quality improvement, approved research, reporting, and policy/funding decisions.
  • Personal identifying information shall not be disclosed; data may be aggregated to prevent re-identification.

Education and higher education integration (Chapter 69 and Chapter 15A)

  • Section 1U (new in Chapter 69): Secretary of Education, in collaboration with OHE and relevant agencies, shall collect voluntary SOGI data across public school districts to address disparities.
    • Annual reporting to OHE: aggregate, deidentified district-level data and any program changes.
    • Data handling subject to 16AA½ privacy safeguards.
  • Section 5B (new in Chapter 15A): Commissioner of Higher Education shall collect voluntary SOGI data from students served, aligned with 1U requirements.
    • Annual reporting to OHE: aggregate, deidentified data and program changes.
    • Data handling subject to 16AA½ privacy safeguards.

Timing and effective dates

  • Section 16AA½ (health and related agencies): takes effect one year after enactment.
  • Section 1U (education data in K–12): takes effect 18 months after enactment.
  • Section 5B (higher education data): takes effect 18 months after enactment.

Potential impact and considerations

  • Pros:
    • Provides more complete data on LGBTQ+ health disparities to inform policy, funding, and program design.
    • Promotes culturally competent care and targeted improvements in health service delivery.
    • Establishes consistent annual reporting and oversight through multiple legislative committees.
  • Cons / considerations:
    • Balancing data collection with privacy; risk of re-identification if data are not properly aggregated.
    • Voluntary nature of data collection may limit comprehensiveness; reliance on proper implementation and training.
    • Administrative burden on departments to collect, deidentify, and report data annually.

This bill seeks to make demographic data on sexual orientation and gender identity more systematically collected and used to reduce health disparities, while preserving privacy and ensuring appropriate use.

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

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