On Friday afternoon, a piece of legislation protecting transgender individuals in the Commonwealth came into law.
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker approved the legislation just over a month after Westford’s State Representative, James Arciero, and 115 other state representatives voted for the initial legislation.
On Thursday, Arciero joined 117 other legislators in supporting a conference committee report that reconciled language from similar legislation into a new bicameral bill.
The 118 members of the Massachusetts House of Representatives were also joined by over 250 Massachusetts businesses and the entire Massachusetts Congressional delegation in supporting the bill.
“I am proud to join with Governor Baker and legislators from both political parties in supporting this measure, which will ensure the civil rights of this group of Americans,” said Arciero. “This statute simply seeks to treat all Massachusetts citizens with the dignity, respect and equality they deserve.”
Governor Baker was also grateful to receive the legislation for his signature.
“No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity,” said Baker. “This compromise legislation extends additional protections to the Commonwealth’s transgender community, and includes language to address the public safety concerns expressed by some by requiring the Attorney General to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law.”
Text of the legislation can be found here.
