Baker relents, says he’d sign the House bathroom bill

BOSTON – On the eve of a debate in the state House of Representatives on access to public facilities for transgender people, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker said Tuesday he would sign a version of the so-called bathroom bill currently before lawmakers in the lower chamber.

"No one should be discriminated against in Massachusetts because of their gender identity," the governor said in a statement. "After hearing from all sides and carefully reviewing the two separate proposals that have been working their way through the legislature, I believe the House version addresses the concerns that some have with the bill by requiring the Attorney General to issue regulations to protect against people abusing the law. I would sign the House version in its current form should it reach my desk."