By Bob Katzen

The Judiciary Committee held a hearing on legislation that would provide increased protection from harassment and discrimination on the basis of height, by adding height as a protected characteristic across Massachusetts civil rights and hate-crime laws.

The measure also creates a new law that prohibits photographing or videotaping a person with a disability without the person’s consent. Anyone who conveys such a photograph or video by electronic communication or publishes the photograph in print for the sole purpose of harassing or annoying the person or the person’s family, would be subject to up to a 3-month prison sentence and/or a fine of up to $500.

Supporters said the bill would strengthen anti-discrimination statutes, enhance protections for students, update hate-crime definition and direct the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination to enforce these new safeguards. They argued that the proposal would ensure that individuals cannot be denied opportunities, treated unfairly or subjected to bias-motivated harassment simply because of their height.

“Everyone deserves to live, work and learn in an environment free from discrimination,” said co-sponsor Rep. Angelo Puppolo (D-Springfield). “[The bill] takes a meaningful step toward ensuring that no one is targeted, bullied or denied opportunity because of their height. This bill is about fairness, dignity and strengthening Massachusetts’ commitment to equal treatment for all.”

Rep. Michael Kushmerek (D-Fitchburg), the co-sponsor of the bill, did not respond to repeated requests by Beacon Hill Roll Call asking him to comment on his bill.