‘Bathroom’ bill conference is no big deal, Rosenberg says

BOSTON – Days after theMassachusetts House of Representatives followed the Senate's lead and passed a "bathroom bill" giving transgender individuals access to the sex-segregated public facilities of their choice, Senate President Stanley Rosenberg said Monday that "timing" will be most significant question to resolve between the branches.

Democratic leaders of both chambers have been working to provide legal access for transgender individuals in places of public accommodation. But the House version of the bill includes a provision that would establish penalties for people trying to take improper advantage of the law that isn't in the Senate version. Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, indicated last week that he would sign the House version, should it get to him.