Technology (Data Reporting)

This bill mandates an annual report from the Executive Office for Administration and Finance regarding progress on data collection efforts required by the Data Equity Law. The report is intended to track the status of approximately 38 government programs that are subject to these new data equity requirements.

This bill requires Massachusetts state health departments, public schools, and higher education institutions to collect voluntary self-identification data about sexual orientation and gender identity from people aged 16+ when providing services. The data must be aggregated and de-identified to protect privacy, and can only be used to reduce health disparities, improve services, or inform policy decisions. Departments must submit annual reports to the Office of Health Equity, which will compile the data into an annual report for the Legislature. The law aims to better understand and address healthcare inequities faced by LGBTQ+ individuals across state systems.