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ARTICLE · 20 JULY 2016

Massachusetts Passes Transgender Accommodations Law

Fisher Phillips LLP
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On July 11, 2016, Governor Charlie Baker signed Massachusetts's transgender accommodations bill into law, which will allow transgender individuals to use restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms that match their gender identities rather than the biological sex assigned at their birth.

United StatesEmployment and HR
Amber Elias
Amber Elias
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On July 11, 2016, Governor Charlie Baker signed Massachusetts's transgender accommodations bill into law, which will allow transgender individuals to use restrooms, changing rooms, and locker rooms that match their gender identities rather than the biological sex assigned at their birth.

It will also protect transgender individuals from discrimination in places of public accommodation and will prohibit advertising that discriminates on the basis of gender identity. The new law will go into effect October 1, except for the prohibition against discriminatory advertising, which is effective immediately. 

Bathroom Use Question Resolved

Because Massachusetts' state discrimination law already protects individuals from employment discrimination based on gender identity, there can be no doubt that you now must permit transgender employees to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity. Additionally, if you qualify as a place of public accommodation

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