2025-26 Guide to Ohio’s LGBTQ+ Legislation (136th General Assembly)

Sponsor: Sen. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland)

What would this bill do?: This wide-ranging bill affecting public institutions of higher education would ban diversity, equality and inclusion programs on campus (which threatens LGBTQ+ centers), ban colleges from making statements on “controversial issues,” create a mandatory civics course, threaten professor tenure, ban faculty unions from being able to strike and a host of other changes.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on January 22 and was referred to the Higher Education Committee on January 29.
– The Higher Education Committee held a few hearings for the bill, with opponents outnumbering supporters by more than 50-1. Regardless, the bill passed out of committee on February 12.
– The Ohio Senate passed SB 1 on February 12.
– The bill passed the Workforce and Higher Education committee on March 19.
– SB 1 passed the Ohio House with some amendments on March 19.
– The Ohio Senate approved the changes of the House and Governor DeWine signed SB 1 into law on March 28.

Sponsor: Sen. Terry Johnson (R-McDermott)

What would this bill do?: This bill mandates that all public school classrooms display at least one historical document, a list that includes the Ten Commandments. Additionally, the bill allows schools to erect “a monument or other marker inscribed with one or more of the historical educational documents,” again including The Ten Commandments. The bill allows schools to accept donations for these displays, but puts no restrictions on the entities donating those funds or displays – be they churches or the anti-LGBTQ+ Center for Christian Virtue – but does give boards the power to refuse donations that come with limitations or conditions attached.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on January 28 and was referred to the Education Committee on January 29.
– The first committee hearing for SB 34 was held on February 11.
– Proponent testimony featuring reps from two anti-LGBTQ+ orgs was held on March 6.
– Opponent testimony was held on March 13.
– A fourth hearing for SB 34 was held on April 1. The bill was amended to mandate schools display four of the nine documents.
– A fifth hearing for SB 34 was held on April 8. The bill was amended to be renamed “The Founding Documents Displays Act.”
– This bill passed out of the Senate Education Committee on November 18 and then passed the entire Senate on October 19. Read more about those developments here.
– The bill now heads to the Ohio House to be heard in committee.

Sponsor: Sen. Tim Schaffer (R-Lancaster)

What would this bill do?: If passed, this bill allows private citizens to sue for damages incurred by “vandalism or riot activity,” even if an individual is not found personally responsible for the damages. Legal experts have expressed concern that SB 53 could be used to target pro-LGBTQ+ demonstrations across the state by allowing private citizens to sue individuals for damages incurred by “vandalism or riot activity,” even if an individual is not found personally responsible for the damages.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on January 28 and was referred to the Judiciary Committee on January 29.
– A first hearing was held for this bill in the Judiciary Committee on February 19. More info here.

Sponsor: Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood)

What would this bill do?: The Ohio Fairness Act would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in the areas of housing, employment and public accommodations. This is the 12th time the Ohio Fairness Act has been introduced in the Ohio legislature.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on February 4 and assigned to the Government Oversight and Reform Committee on February 12.
– There has not yet been a hearing for this bill.

Sponsor: Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood) & Sen. Beth Liston (D-Dublin)

What would this bill do?: SB 71 would ban all health care professionals in the state of Ohio from practicing conversion therapy on youth who are under 18 years of age. Conversion therapy is here defined as “seeking to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person of the same gender.” Currently, conversion therapy is legal statewide, but banned in 12 Ohio municipalities covering 25% of Ohio’s population.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on February 4 and assigned to the Health Committee on February 12.
– There has not yet been a hearing for this bill.

Sponsor: Sen. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware)

What would this bill do?: This bill would force school boards to have a policy prohibiting any orientation or training course regarding
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the establishment or continuation of existing DEI offices or departments, or using DEI in job descriptions. Nowhere in the bill is DEI defined.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on February 25 and assigned to the Education Committee on February 26.
– A first hearing was held on this bill on March 4.
– A second hearing was held for this bill on March 25.

Sponsor: Sen. Nickie Antonio (D-Lakewood)

What would this bill do?: This bill would designate the first full week of June as “Love Makes a Family Week.”

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on June 3 and referred to the Government Oversight & Reform Committee on June 4.

Sponsors: Rep. Andrew Brenner (R-Delaware) and Rep. Jerry Cirino (R-Kirtland)

What would this bill do?: This bill would remove an exception within the Ohio Revised Code that currently allows youth age 14-17 to access:
– Outpatient services from a mental health professional without parental consent if there is a “substantial probability of harm to the minor or to other persons.”
– No more than six sessions or 30 days of the above services, whichever occurs sooner.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill: This bill was introduced on September 30 and assigned to the Health Committee on October 1. There has not yet been a hearing for this bill.

Sponsor: Rep. Tom Young (R-Washington Twp.)

What would this bill do?: This is the House version of SB 1. This wide-ranging bill affecting public institutions of higher education would ban diversity, equality and inclusion programs on campus (which threatens LGBTQ+ centers), ban colleges from making statements on “controversial issues,” create a mandatory civics course, threaten professor tenure, ban faculty unions from being able to strike and a host of other changes.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– SB 1was introduced on January 22 and was referred to the Higher Education Committee on January 29.
– The Higher Education Committee held a few hearings for the bill, with opponents outnumbering supporters by more than 50-1. Regardless, the bill passed out of committee on February 12.
– The Ohio Senate passed SB 1 on February 12.
– The bill passed the Workforce and Higher Education committee on March 19.
– SB 1 passed the Ohio House with some amendments on March 19.
– The Ohio Senate approved the changes of the House and Governor DeWine signed SB 1 into law on March 28.

Sponsor: Rep. Brian Stewart (R-Ashville)

What would this bill do?: The budget as currently proposed contains a number of anti-LGBTQ+ measures, including:
– Establishing the policy of the state of Ohio to “recognize two sexes, male and female” and that “these sexes are not changeable and are grounded in fundamental and incontrovertible reality.”
– Restricting youth access to books with LGBTQ+ content.
– Ban certain state money from going to youth shelters “that promote or affirm social gender transition.”
– Mandating that state agencies may only fly the official Ohio state flag on the grounds or buildings, effectively banning the display of Pride flags. 
– Bans menstrual products from men’s restrooms in public buildings.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on April 1 and referred to the Finance Committee.
– The Ohio House passed the bill on April 9.
– The Ohio Senate passed the budget on June 11.
– The Ohio Senate and the Ohio House agreed on changes to the bill on June 25 and sent the bill to Gov. DeWine for his signature. Read about that here.
– On June 30, Gov. DeWine vetoed the language on the youth access to books with LGBTQ+ content, the language banning state money from going to youth shelters “that promote or affirm social gender transition,” and the language on flags. Governor DeWine did not veto the “recognition of two sexes, male and female” or the ban on menstrual products from men’s restrooms in public buildings.
– The legislature has until December 31, 2026 to override any of Gov. DeWine’s vetoes.

Sponsors: Rep. Tristan Rader (D-Lakewood) and Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus)

What would this bill do?: The companion bill to the Ohio Fairness Act would prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity or expression in the areas of housing, employment and public accommodations. This is the 4th time the Ohio Fairness Act has been introduced in the House.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on February 25. It was assigned to the Judiciary Committee on March 5.

Sponsors: Rep. Beth Lear (R-Galena) and Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.)

What would this bill do?: This bill would force school boards to have a policy prohibiting any orientation or training course regarding
diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), the establishment or continuation of existing DEI offices or departments, or using DEI in job descriptions. Nowhere in the bill is DEI defined.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on March 6, 2025 and was referred to the House Education Committee on March 19, 2025.
– A first hearing for this bill was held on May 6 and a second hearing (proponent testimony) was held on May 20.

Sponsor: Rep. Johnathan Newman (R-Troy)

What would this bill do?: This bill would remove an exception within the Ohio Revised Code that currently allows youth age 14-17 to access:
– Outpatient services from a mental health professional without parental consent if there is a “substantial probability of harm to the minor or to other persons.”
– No more than six sessions or 30 days of the above services, whichever occurs sooner.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on March 12. It was assigned to the Health Committee on March 19.
– A first hearing for this bill was held on May 21. Read about that hearing here.
– A second hearing for this bill (proponent testimony) was held on October 22. Read about that hearing here.
– A third hearing for this bill (opponent testimony) was held on November 19. Read about that hearing here.

Sponsors: Rep. Johnathan Newman (R-Troy) and Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.)

What would this bill do?: This bill would prohibit public school staff from referring to transgender students by any name not listed on their original birth certificate. The bill would also prohibit employees or contractors from sharing their own pronouns or title “if the pronouns or title are inconsistent with the employee’s or contractor’s biological sex.” Public schools found not in compliance could risk losing a percentage of critical state funding.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on March 24 and assigned to the Education Committee on March 26.
– HB 190 had a first hearing on April 30. Read about that hearing here.

Sponsors: Reps. Rodney Creech (R-West Alexandria) and Angie King (R-Celina)

What would this bill do?: This bill would add a space for candidates to include former legal names on their petitions for candidacy – further codifying the requirement that transgender candidates list any legal name changes that occurred within the last five years on their petitions for candidacy. The bill also allows voters registered under any political party to challenge the legitimacy of a candidate on the premise they fail to publicly list their former legal names. The current law only allows registered voters of a candidate’s political party to challenge an individual’s candidacy.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– HB 196 was introduced on March 24 and assigned to the General Government committee on March 26.
– A first hearing for this bill was held on April 29. Read about that hearing here.

Sponsors: Reps. Angie King (R-Celina) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Township)

What would this bill do?: This bill would ban an individual from “recklessly [engaging] in an adult cabaret performance in a location other than an adult cabaret.” The definition of an “adult cabaret performance” includes “performers or entertainers who exhibit a gender identity that is different from the performer’s or entertainer’s biological sex, using clothing, makeup, prosthetic or imitation genitals or breasts, or other physical markers.” The bill has penalties ranging from misdemeanors to fourth degree felonies, depending on if minors are present and the performance is deemed “obscene.”

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– HB 249 was introduced on April 29 and was assigned to the Judiciary Committee on May 7.
– Sponsor testimony was held for this bill on May 28. Read about that hearing here.
– Proponent testimony was held on October 29. Read about that hearing here.

Sponsors: Rep. Beth Lear (R-Galena) and Rep. Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.)

What would this bill do?: This bill would designate “Natural Family Month,” for the period of time from Mother’s Day, which is the second Sunday in May, to Father’s Day, the third Sunday in June. The group pushing this language defines “natural families” as ““one biological born man, woman in a lifelong monogamous relationship with their biological and yes even adopted children.”

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– HB 262 was introduced on May 13 and was assigned to the Community Revitalization Committee on May 14.
– This bill had sponsor testimony on June 3 and opponent testimony on June 10. Read about those first two meetings here.
– Proponent testimony was held on September 30. Read about that hearing here.

Sponsors: Reps. Dontavius Jarrells (D-Columbus) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.)

What would this bill do?: This bill would “prohibit hate crimes and to create a civil remedy for a person who is terrorized by another because of specific characteristics or beliefs.” Those found to have perpetrated a hate crime may have to pay a fine of up to $25,000. LGBTQ+ identity is not explicitly mentioned in the list of specific characteristics protected under the proposed law, but Rep. Jarrells insists that LGBTQ+ identity is covered under the word “sex”.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill: HB 306 was introduced on May 27 and assigned on the Judiciary Committee on May 28.

Sponsors: Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Twp.) and Rep. Crystal Lett (D-Columbus)

What would this bill do?: SB 71 would ban all health care professionals in the state of Ohio from practicing conversion therapy on youth who are under 18 years of age. Conversion therapy is here defined as “seeking to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity, including efforts to change behaviors or gender expressions or to reduce or eliminate sexual or romantic attractions or feelings toward a person of the same gender.” Currently, conversion therapy is legal statewide, but banned in 12 Ohio municipalities covering 25% of Ohio’s population.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill: HB 300 was introduced on May 21 and was assigned to the Health Committee on May 28.

Sponsors: Rep. Karen Brownlee (D-Symmes Twp.) and Rep. Darnell Brewer (D-Cleveland)

What would this bill do?: This bill would guarantee a parent’s right to:
– Equitable access to a full range of evidence-based medical care for the parent’s child
– Equitable access to a full range of behavioral health care for the parent’s child
– Equitable access to hygiene care for the parent’s child, including public bathrooms, school bathrooms and menstrual care products
– Equitable access to educational opportunities that are reflective of and inclusive of all students
– Be inclusive, respectful and accepting of the parent’s child’s rights to the freedom of speech and expression
– Accept and respect the parent’s child’s right to behavioral health confidentiality in support of the health and safety of the child.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill: This bill was introduced on June 3 and referred to the Children and Human Services Committee on June 11.

Sponsors: Rep. Kevin Ritter (R-Marietta) and Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy)

What would this bill do?: This bill would allow public schools “to engage volunteer chaplains to provide support services” while in no way defining those support services.

Read the text of the bill here.

Status of the bill:
– This bill was introduced on October 21 and referred to the Education Committee on October 22.
– Sponsor testimony was held for this bill on October 28. Read about that hearing here.