The move continues a trend toward greater recognition of transgender rights following the state's passage of the Fairness for All Marylanders Act of 2013, which banned transgender discrimination in employment and other public accommodations. The law does not specifically address health insurance, but has "communicated a strong public policy in the state against discrimination based on gender identity" in all public arenas, said Jer Welter, managing attorney at Free State Legal, one of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy organizations that has been pushing the state on transgender insurance issues.