Trans rights bill likely delayed

EdgeBoston.com – Bay Windows

As Bay Windows went to press it was uncertain what action the legislature’s Joint Committee on the Judiciary would take on the transgender rights bill, House Bill 1722. March 19 was the deadline for the committee to decide what action to take on the bill, which was the subject of a ten-hour hearing before the Judiciary March 4 (see “Advocates turn out en masse for transgender civil rights bill,”). But as of late afternoon that day Bill Conley, lobbyist for the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus, said the committee had not yet made a final decision on the bill. What was clear, said Conley, was that the trans rights bill would be kept in committee for further discussion.

The bill would add transgender-inclusive language to the state’s non-discrimination and hate crimes laws.