Today, in less than four minutes, the Ohio House of Representatives Committee on Higher Education passed a bill that would prohibit transgender people from using shared restrooms and locker rooms in Ohio schools that match their gender identity.
Dubbed the “Protecting All Students Act” — even though it only addressed bathroom employ — the Republican-sponsored bill HB 183 passed 10-5 along party lines.
As written, the bill applies to all educational institutions in Ohio, from preschools to public and private colleges and universities. The bill would also prohibit all colleges and universities from building, establishing or maintaining multi-occupancy facilities designated as “non-sex, multi-gender or open to all genders.”
Many colleges in Ohio currently maintain these spaces, and HB 183 would force them to be changed to male or female spaces.
Although Vice Chair Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) previously indicated she might introduce an amendment to remove higher education institutions from the bill, she refrained from proposing those changes.
“I hope we continue to discuss the removal of higher education,” Manning said.
A few minutes later, she voted for the bill without discussion.
Ranking Member Joe Miller (D-Lorain) offered comments condemning the bill before the vote. He said he was dismayed that the Legislature was “usurping local control” by taking away decision-making power from school districts and colleges charged with providing “safe and equitable access for all Ohioans and their students.”
“I hope this bill doesn’t fall on the floor and end up on the governor’s desk,” Miller said.
HB 183 will now go to the full Ohio House of Representatives for consideration. The next scheduled meeting of the Chamber will be held on April 24.
If HB 183 passes the House, the bill will next move to the Ohio Senate. 🔥
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- To read all current LGBTQ+ legislation in Ohio, click here.
- To register to vote or check your eligibility to vote in Ohio, click here.
- To find the contact information for your Ohio State Representative, click here.
- If you are a juvenile person struggling, contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
- If you are an adult in need of immediate assistance, please contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
