Outgoing Gov. Deval Patrick has signed into law a bill that would allow Massachusetts credit unions to branch out into other New England states.

The signing was one of Patrick’s final actions in office, as incoming-Gov. Charlie Baker will be sworn into office on Thursday.

The bill, which becomes effective Oct. 1, would allow credit unions chartered in Massachusetts to expand their branching radius to 100 miles of the main office outside the county, the Cooperative Credit Union Association said today.

The bill also limits credit unions to one application per 12-month period and requires the banking commissioner to promulgate regulations by July 1.