Gov. Baker says he is willing to sign House version of transgender bill

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said he would be willing to sign one version of the bill designed to ban discrimination against transgender people.In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Baker said he would be willing to sign the version currently being considered in the House.“No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," Baker said in his statement.The Senate has already approved its version of the bill, which expands a 2011 state law that prohibits discrimination against transgender people in the workplace and housing.The House is expected to debate the bill on Wednesday.Read the bills: Senate billHouse billThe House version would allow the state attorney general to provide "guidance or regulations" to law enforcement about legal action against "any person who asserts gender identity for an improper purpose.""I believe the House version addresses the concerns that some have with the bill by requiring the Attorney General to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law," Baker said. "I would sign the House version in its current form should it reach my desk."If the bill becomes law, Massachusetts would join 17 other states and the District of Columbia in banning discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations.Full statement from Gov. Baker:“No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity. After hearing from all sides and carefully reviewing the two separate proposals that have been working their way through the legislature, I believe the House version addresses the concerns that some have with the bill by requiring the Attorney General to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law. I would sign the House version in its current form should it reach my desk." - Governor Baker

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker said he would be willing to sign one version of the bill designed to ban discrimination against transgender people.

In a statement issued Tuesday afternoon, Baker said he would be willing to sign the version currently being considered in the House.


“No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," Baker said in his statement.

The Senate has already approved its version of the bill, which expands a 2011 state law that prohibits discrimination against transgender people in the workplace and housing.

The House is expected to debate the bill on Wednesday.



Read the bills:

The House version would allow the state attorney general to provide "guidance or regulations" to law enforcement about legal action against "any person who asserts gender identity for an improper purpose."



"I believe the House version addresses the concerns that some have with the bill by requiring the Attorney General to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law," Baker said. "I would sign the House version in its current form should it reach my desk."

If the bill becomes law, Massachusetts would join 17 other states and the District of Columbia in banning discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations.

Full statement from Gov. Baker:

“No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity. After hearing from all sides and carefully reviewing the two separate proposals that have been working their way through the legislature, I believe the House version addresses the concerns that some have with the bill by requiring the Attorney General to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law. I would sign the House version in its current form should it reach my desk." - Governor Baker









