Ohio lawmakers approve a bill that would restrict transgender students' access to school bathrooms

COLUMBUS (WXIX) – Ohio lawmakers have passed a bill that would ban transgender students from using K-12 school and college restrooms that match their gender identity.

They would be required to use those of their gender at birth if Gov. Mike DeWine signs Senate Bill 104 into law.

Schools will be required to designate separate bathrooms, locker rooms and overnight accommodations “for the exclusive use” of males and females, based on gender assigned at or around birth, in both school buildings and facilities used for a school-sponsored event. to the legislation.

This does not apply to school staff, emergencies or those assisting young children or people with disabilities, and schools can still provide single-use and family sanitary facilities.

The Ohio Senate passed the measure on Wednesday in a party-line vote of 24-7 after lawmakers folded House Bill 183 into SB 104 and passed it earlier this year.

“We as a society must protect our most precious asset: our children,” said Sen. George Lang, R-West Chester Township, one of the bill’s co-sponsors.

“We should not allow biological men to compete with biological women in sports and we should keep boys out of our daughters’ bathrooms.”

Once Governor DeWine receives SB 104, he will have 10 days to sign it into law or veto it.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio issued a lengthy press release in opposition on Wednesday, urging the governor to reject it.

“Previously introduced as House Bill 183, the Ohio House in June amended a completely unrelated bill, SB 104, to include harmful anti-trans restroom provisions. The Senate approved these changes by a vote of 24-7 during a floor vote on Wednesday,” the ACLU said in a press release.

“The ACLU of Ohio strongly urges Governor DeWine to veto this bill and protect the rights and privacy of LGBTQ+ Ohioans statewide.”

At least 11 states have passed laws banning transgender girls and women from using girls’ and women’s restrooms in public schools and in some cases other government facilities, according to the Associated Press.

The laws are in effect in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Utah. In Idaho, a judge’s order is in effect to suspend enforcement, the AP reports.

David Mahan, policy director for the Center for Christian Virtue, called on DeWine to sign SB104 into law “to protect the privacy of women and young girls.

“Today is a huge victory for Ohio children and families,” Mahan said CCV’s press release. “The amended SB104 is common sense legislation that ensures that the only people entering the private spaces of young ladies are women, not men claiming to be women.

In one post on social media On Wednesday, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost encouraged the governor “to sign this bill, and I will defend it if it is challenged in court.”

This is the second bill related to transgender issues to go to Governor DeWine’s desk in the past year.

He vetoed House Bill 68, which would ban transgender women from participating in girls’ sports and ban trans minors from receiving gender-affirming care. but both the The Senate and House overruled it.

“We are incredibly disheartened by the Ohio General Assembly’s continued attacks against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals across Ohio,” said Jocelyn Rosnick, policy director for the ACLU of Ohio.

“Senate Bill 104 is a cruel invasion of students’ rights to privacy, which could result in unwarranted government disclosure of private personal information. If SB 104 becomes law, it will create an unsafe environment for trans and gender non-affirming people of all ages.

“This bill ignores the material reality that transgender people are more likely to experience sexual violence and assault, especially when using public restrooms, than people who are not transgender. All Ohioans deserve to have access to the facilities they need, consistent with their gender identity, without fear of intimidation or harassment.

“The ACLU of Ohio remains steadfast in our commitment to supporting trans Ohioans and is carefully considering next steps.”

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