Massachusetts Fair Housing Protected Classes
Last verified: 2026-05-01 · 17 protected classes
Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 151B adds religious creed, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, and public assistance recipiency to housing protections.
Federal baseline (applies everywhere)
View United States (Federal) referenceSource: Fair Housing Act, 42 USC §§ 3601–3619 · Official text
Race(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Color(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Religion(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
National origin(added 1968)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Sex(added 1974)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Familial status(added 1988)
42 USC § 3604(a)
Households with children under 18, including pregnant individuals.
Disability(added 1988)
42 USC § 3604(f)
Originally enacted as 'handicap'; covers physical and mental impairments.
State additions — Massachusetts
Source: Massachusetts Anti-Discrimination Law (Chapter 151B) · Official text
Religious creed
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Ancestry
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Sexual orientation
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Gender identity
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Age
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Genetic information
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Marital status
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Veteran or member of the armed forces
MGL c.151B § 4(6)
Recipient of public assistance or rental subsidy
MGL c.151B § 4(10)
Blind or hearing impaired
MGL c.151B § 4(7B)
Includes use of a guide dog, hearing dog, or other service animal.
Important
This page is a compliance reference, not legal advice. Statute interpretation and enforcement varies. Verify against the current text of cited statutes and consult a licensed attorney for advice on a specific situation.
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