Governor Charlie Baker Signs Transgender Public Accommodations Bill into Law
Today, Governor Baker signed the Massachusetts Transgender Public Accommodations Bill into law, making Massachusetts the 18th state in the nation to enact legislation to provide transgender people comprehensive protections under the law. The new law is set to go into effect on October 1, 2016 and includes a number of compromises that lawmakers negotiated, including a requirement that the Attorney General issue guidance on when and how action can be taken against people who assert gender identity for “an improper purpose” and that the Massachusetts Commission on Discrimination must develop policies and recommendations on when and how a person’s gender identity would be established.
This is a historic day for the transgender community and is the culmination of many years of diligent educational efforts and advocacy.
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