Massachusetts Panel Hears Bill to Ban Genetic Data in Life Insurance Underwriting

BOSTON — February 24, 2026 — Massachusetts lawmakers heard testimony on a bill to bar life and disability insurers from using genetic test results against applicants. The Joint Committee on Financial Services, co-chaired by Senator Paul R. Feeney and Representative James M. Murphy, held a virtual public hearing February 24 on H.5112 — an act prohibiting genetic discrimination filed by Representative Dave Rogers — after a major blizzard forced the State House to close. Arlington constituent Robin Biggs, a BRCA2 mutation carrier who underwent preventive double mastectomy and oophorectomy, told the panel her genetic counselor advised her to "secure life insurance now before you get tested." Lindsay Jack of the ALS Association argued that Florida's similar 2020 law produced no evidence of market instability, and FORCE Vice President Lisa Schlager said an estimated 10 percent of Americans carry inherited cancer-risk mutations and are being "penalized" for managing their health proactively. Two additional bills on the docket — H.4914 on the Massachusetts Uniform Commercial Code and Senate Bill 2921 on travel insurance — drew no live testimony.