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Gov. Baker Says He Would Sign House Version Of Transgender Bill

Gov. Charlie Baker speaks to members of the media earlier this month in Boston. (Elise Amendola/AP)
Gov. Charlie Baker speaks to members of the media earlier this month in Boston. (Elise Amendola/AP)

Gov. Charlie Baker is signaling his support for a bill to prevent discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations.

Baker said in a statement on Tuesday that he would "sign the House version in its current form" should it reach his desk.

The House is scheduled to take up the legislation on Wednesday.

The Senate passed a slightly different version of the measure earlier this month.

Baker said he supports the House bill because it contains language which calls on the attorney general to issue guidance for taking legal action against anyone who asserts gender identity for an improper purpose.

The bill had been stalled in the Legislature for months as Gov. Baker refused to say whether he would support it. Baker maintained his support would depend on exactly what was in the bill.

“As I said before, we certainly support non-discrimination in Massachusetts for anybody,” Baker said back in March. “But the details on this are important, and I know the Legislature’s working on it, and we’ll look forward on seeing what they will produce.”

Critics of the bill say it could allow male predators to disguise themselves as women to get access to female locker rooms and restrooms.

Proponents of the bill say those worries are unfounded.

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