Ohio’s bathroom ban quickly passes out of committee, heads now to full House

In under four minutes today, the Ohio House of Representatives’ Higher Education Committee passed a bill to ban trans individuals from using multi-person restrooms and locker rooms in Ohio’s schools that correspond to their gender identity.  

Dubbed the “Protect All Students Act”–-despite only addressing bathroom use—the Republican-sponsored HB 183 passed 10-5 along party lines. 

As written, the bill applies to all of Ohio’s educational institutions, kindergarten through both public and private colleges. The bill would also ban all colleges from constructing, establishing or maintaining a multi-occupancy facility that is designated as “nongendered, multigendered, or open to all genders.” 

Multiple colleges in Ohio maintain these spaces currently, and HB 183 would force their redesignation into either male or female spaces. 

Although Vice-Chair Gayle Manning (R-North Ridgeville) had previously indicated that she might introduce an amendment to remove higher education institutions from the bill, she refrained from proposing those changes. 

“I’m hopeful we will continue to have these discussions about the removal of higher ed,” Manning said. 

Minutes later, she voted for the bill without those discussions taking place.

Ranking Member Joe Miller (D-Lorain) offered comments condemning the bill before the vote. He said that he was dismayed that the legislature was “usurping local control” by taking decision-making power away from school districts and colleges who are charged with providing “”safe, equitable access for all Ohioans and their students.”

“I hope that this bill doesn’t see the floor and doesn’t see the governor’s desk,” Miller said. 

HB 183 will now head to the full Ohio House of Representatives for consideration. The next scheduled House session is on April 24.

If HB 183 passes the House, the bill would next move to the Ohio Senate. 🔥

ignite action

• For all of Ohio’s current LGBTQ+ legislation, click here.
• To register to vote or to check your voter eligibility status in the state of Ohio, click here.
• To find contact information for your Ohio state representative, click here.
• If you are a young person struggling, contact the Trevor Project: 866-4-U-Trevor.
• If you are an adult in need of immediate help, contact the National Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860