Maryland Senate to Consider Gender Identity Bill Today, the Last Day of State’s Legislative Session
The Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Act, House Bill 235, is on the schedule to be discussed and expectedly voted upon today, April 11, in the Maryland Senate on what is the last day of the state’s legislative session.
The bill passed favorably in the Senate’s Judicial Proceedings Committee on April 9, with a 7-4 vote and an amendment from Sen. Brian Frosh (D-Montgomery), which takes out protections against discrimination based on “appearance, expression or behavior” and instead adding “the manifestation of that identity in gender-related appearance, characteristics and mannerisms.” The amendment also states gender identity must be “persistent” and “bona fide.”
If the H.B. 235 passes the full Senate today, it is expected to go back to the House, on a “concurrence calendar,” which according to Equality Maryland executive director Morgan Meneses-Sheets is a quick vote, also expected today. The House voted 86-52 in passage of the original bill on March 26.
For live coverage of today’s Senate proceedings, follow Yusef Najafi on Twitter, with full coverage to follow on metroweekly.com.
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