Section 12. No insurance institution or insurance representative may base an adverse underwriting decision in whole or in part:
(1) on the fact of a previous adverse underwriting decision or on the fact that an individual previously obtained insurance coverage through a residual market mechanism; provided, however, that an insurance institution or insurance representative may base an adverse underwriting decision on further information obtained from an insurance institution or insurance representative responsible for a previous adverse underwriting decision;
(2) on personal information received from an insurance-support organization whose primary source of information is insurance institutions; provided, however, that an insurance institution or insurance representative may base an adverse underwriting decision on further personal information obtained as the result of information received from such insurance-support organization; or
(3) on the basis of sexual orientation; provided, however, that neither the national origin, marital status, lifestyle or living arrangements, occupation, gender, medical history, beneficiary designation, nor zip code or other territorial classification of the applicant may be used to establish, or aid in establishing, the applicant's sexual orientation.
Structure Massachusetts General Laws
Part I - Administration of the Government
Chapter 175i - Insurance Information and Privacy Protection
Section 1 - Application of Chapter
Section 3 - Pretext Interviews; Use
Section 4 - Notice of Information Practices; Time; Contents; Abbreviated Notice
Section 5 - Questions to Obtain Marketing or Research Information; Disclosure
Section 6 - Disclosure Authorization Form; Contents
Section 7 - Investigative Consumer Report; Personal Interview; Prohibited Information
Section 8 - Recorded Personal Information; Medical Record Information; Disclosure; Fees
Section 9 - Correction, Amendment or Deletion of Personal Information
Section 12 - Adverse Underwriting Decision; Basis
Section 13 - Personal or Privileged Information From Insurance Transactions; Disclosure
Section 15 - Violations; Notice; Hearings; Service of Process
Section 16 - Agent for Service of Process
Section 17 - Findings; Orders to Cease and Desist; Reports
Section 18 - Penalties; Violations of Cease and Desist Orders
Section 19 - Judicial Review; Filing Deadline; Jurisdiction; Orders
Section 20 - Equitable Relief; Damages; Costs and Attorney's Fees; Limitation of Actions
Section 21 - Disclosure of Information; Immunity
Section 22 - Information Obtained by False Pretenses; Penalties