An insurer or producer authorized to issue policies against disability from injury or disease in the commonwealth shall not make a distinction or otherwise discriminate between persons, reject an applicant, cancel a policy or demand or require a higher rate of premium for a group or individual disability contract issued or delivered in the commonwealth to 1 or more residents of the commonwealth for reasons based solely upon an applicant's or insured's race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation or marital status.
A violation of this section shall constitute an unfair method of competition or an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of chapter 176D.