By Bob Katzen

Gov. Maura Healey signed onto law legislation waiving, for six years, until 2030, a law that requires businesses and groups to have a 35 percent participation rate in order to qualify for group auto and home insurance discount rates. The measure permits groups with less than the 35 percent participation to take advantage of group rates, which supporters said will save members between 5 percent and 8 percent. The law has been waived since 1997. The 35 percent requirement was first included in a 1973 law.

Supporters said if the bill is not approved, insurance discounts for 322,000 vehicles and 142,000 homes in the Bay State would disappear on January 1, 2025 and consumers will pay millions of dollars more for insurance.

“This bill will preserve access to more affordable home and auto insurance for Massachusetts residents,” said Gov. Healey.

Reps. Dan Cahill (D-Lynn) and Tom Walsh (D-Peabody) sponsors of the measure did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking them to comment on their bill.