BOSTON (AP) - The agency overseeing the state's landmark health insurance law says about 27,000 Massachusetts residents signed up for coverage in the period leading up to a July first implementation date.

The Commonwealth Health Insurance Connector Authority says that brings the number of newly-insured residents over the last year to 155,000. But officials did not say how many Bay State residents still lack any kind of health insurance.

As of July first, nearly everyone in Massachusetts must be insured or face a series of increasing tax penalties. The law does, however, allow for a grace period through December.

Of the 27,000 new enrollees, 15,000 signed up for private insurance plans either through their employer or the Commonwealth Choice program. The other 12,000 enrolled through the subsidized Commonwealth Care program for people who earn less than three times the poverty level.

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