In a late-night session, the Ohio House of Representatives passed a bill mandating gender-specific bathrooms in public and charter schools, as well as colleges across the state.
The legislation, known as House Bill 183, requires students to use bathrooms and locker rooms that correspond with their sex assigned at birth, rather than their gender identity.
House Bill 183 stipulates that all K-12 and college institutions in Ohio must designate restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and shower rooms for the exclusive use of either male or female biological sex.
The bill does allow for single-occupancy facilities and makes exceptions for individuals assisting those with disabilities or children under ten years old being helped by a parent or guardian.
The bill saw strong support from the majority of House Republicans, while all Democrats, along with a few Republican representatives, opposed it.
The legislation now moves to the Senate, which must agree with the changes made to the original bill, initially focused on a college credit program.
If the Senate approves the bill, Ohio will join twelve other states that regulate transgender bathroom use in schools and government buildings.
This move comes amid a broader national debate on transgender rights, with the American Medical Association opposing policies that prevent transgender individuals from accessing facilities consistent with their gender identity.
The bill has sparked significant opposition from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups and community members. More than 100 people testified against the bill in the House Higher Education Committee, arguing that it targets and marginalizes transgender students.
According to a 2021 report by GLSEN, a significant percentage of LGBTQ+ students in Ohio have already faced restrictions on using bathrooms and locker rooms that align with their gender identity.
Democrats and other opponents of the bill have labeled it as an attack on some of Ohio’s most vulnerable students, while Republicans argue that the legislation is a common-sense measure.