New Hampshire has just moved forward on a ‘crucially important’ bill that would protect trans people from discrimination.

The House Judiciary Committee in the north-eastern US state voted to pass HB 1319 today. The legislation would prohibit discrimination based on gender identity in employment, housing, and public accommodations.

Next, the New Hampshire House of Representatives will vote on the bill. The House of Representatives will likely vote on HB 1319 on or before 7 March.

If successful, the bill will move onto the Senate. If it passes there, it will go to the governor to sign into law. Chris Sununu, the current governor, has indicated he will support the bill.

The US’ largest LGBTQ rights organization, Human Rights Campaign (HRC) hailed the vote saying it was ‘crucially important legislation’.

‘Today’s vote is a positive step toward making history in New Hampshire by updating its non-discrimination protections to include the entire LGBTQ​ community,’ said HRC National Field Director Marty Rouse.

‘No person should be fired, evicted, or denied service just because of who they are, and it is far beyond time that these important protections include transgender people in the Granite State.’

In 2016, then New Hampshire Governor, Maggie Hassan, signed an executive order to protect the rights of trans workers. But HB 1319 would extend the rights of trans people in all aspects of their lives.

‘Nobody should have to live in fear’

HRC worked closely with local trans groups and other national advocacy groups to lobby for the legislation. One of the groups involved in the lobbying was GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders (GLAD).

Media advocacy group GLAAD also issued its own statement about the vote.

‘Today, members of the New Hampshire Judiciary Committee joined faith leaders, public safety officials, businesses, and bipartisan politicians in rallying for the passage of non-discrimination protections for transgender people in the state,’ said Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, said.

‘New Hampshire state lawmakers sent a clear message that nobody should have to live in fear of being fired from their job because of who they are and for reasons that have nothing to do with job performance.’