Massachusetts Transgender Bill Clears Final Legislative Hurdle

A bill protecting against transgender discrimination in public places cleared both houses of the Massachusetts Legislature Thursday, likely ensuring it will become law.

After more than a month, a joint legislative committee ironed out the differences between Senate and House versions of the highly publicized transgender accommodations bill Wednesday. Final votes in both chambers Thursday sealed the deal, sending the bill to Gov. Charlie Baker's desk.

Baker, a Republican, has said he'll sign. That puts Massachusetts in a singular position as states elsewhere fight similar federal guidelines for public school facilities.

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The Massachusetts bill prohibits discrimination against transgender men and women in public places, and protects the ability to choose a restroom or other public facility that matches one's sexual identity, regardless of anatomical sex.

It passed 116-36 in the House June 1, but spent the past month and change in conference committee, where members of both chambers haggled over its final form. Ultimately, the House version won out, which includes additional guidelines for law enforcement on those who use false gender identity claims for "improper purposes." It's that version Baker has said he supports.

The conference committee's recommended bill was agreed upon in the House Thursday with 117 votes in support and 36 opposed. It went to the Senate shortly thereafter, where it passed easily.

Before passing the bill in June, state representatives engaged in hours of debate as protesters and supporters watched from the gallery and chanted or cheered outside. Supporters cast the bill as the culmination of Massachusetts' first-in-the-nation gender identity protections, passed in 2011. Opponents pushed for steeper punishments for those they claimed might manipulate the law to prey upon people, particularly children.

Baker is expected to have the bill on his desk by the end of the day. If he signs as expected, the law would take effect Oct. 1. He must sign or veto the bill within 10 days.

>> Boston City Hall photo via @marty_walsh