Healey: Transgender law guidance will be practical, detailed

STATE HOUSE — When a transgender rights law kicks into effect Oct. 1 businesses should presume people are using the appropriate bathroom, but may inquire into people's gender identities when there is legitimate reason to believe they are using the wrong restroom, according to draft guidance Attorney General Maura Healey plans to issue Thursday.
The guidance, a mandate of the law, is intended to steer businesses over the terrain of the new law, which allows transgender people to use the public restroom or locker room that corresponds to their gender identity, rather than their anatomical sex. Businesses are already allowed to provide that type of transgender bathroom access, but the law will require they do so.