211 CMR 143.03 - Readability of the Required Disclosures

(1) Readability of the Required Disclosures. No written disclosure shall be presented unless:

(a) The text achieves a minimum Flesch scale readability score of at least 50.

(b) It is printed, except for the tables, in not less than a ten-point type, one point leaded.

(c) The style, arrangement and overall appearance gives no undue prominence to any portion of the text of the written disclosures.

(d) The organization of the content of the written disclosure form is conducive to the clarity of the form as well as enhances the clarity of the form.

(2) The Flesch Scale Readability Score. For the purposes of 211 CMR 143.00, a Flesch scale readability score shall be measured as provided in M.G.L. c. 175, § 2B.

(a) For written disclosure forms containing ten thousand words or less of text, the entire form shall be analyzed. For written disclosure forms containing more than 10,000 words, the readability of two separate 200 word samples per page may be analyzed in lieu of the entire form. The samples shall be separated by at least 20 printed lines.

(b) The number of words and sentences in the text shall be counted. The total number of words shall be divided by the total number of sentences. The figure obtained shall be multiplied by a factor of 1.015.

(c) The total number of syllables shall be counted and then divided by the total number of words. The figure obtained shall be multiplied by a factor of 84.6.

(d) The sum of the figures computed under 211 CMR 143.03(2)(a) and (b) subtracted from 206.835 equals the Flesch scale readability score to be used for the policy form.

Notes

211 CMR 143.03