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MD Transgender Anti-Discrimination Law to be Signed Today

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) - Gov. Martin O'Malley is scheduled to sign a measure aimed at stopping discrimination against people who are transgender.

O'Malley has a bill signing ceremony scheduled for Thursday in Annapolis, where he will sign other measures as well. The law will prohibit discrimination on matters relating to housing, employment, credit and use of public accommodations.

The law would take effect on Oct. 1. However, a group of opponents hopes voters will get the last say. Opponents contend the measure would allow predators into opposite sex restrooms.

Opponents will need to collect 18,579 signatures by May 31 and a total of 55,736 signatures by June 30 to get a referendum on the ballot for November's election.

Don Rush is the News Director and Senior Producer of News and Public Affairs at Delmarva Public Media. An award-winning journalist, Don reports major local issues of the day, from sea level rise, to urban development, to the changing demographics of Delmarva.