Ohio signs new bill restricting bathroom access for transgender students

Transgender students from kindergarten through college in Ohio now must use bathrooms that align with their biological gender under a new bill signed Wednesday.

The bathroom measure, signed by Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, will require public and private schools, colleges and universities to designate separate bathrooms, locker rooms and overnight accommodations “for the exclusive use” of either males or females.

The GOP-backed bill — called the “Protect All Students Act” — applies to school buildings and other facilities used for school-sponsored events.

“It revolves around safety, security, and, I think, common sense. It protects our children and grandchildren in private spaces where they are most vulnerable,” said Republican Ohio state Sen. Jerry Cirino, the bill’s sponsor.

School employees, emergency situations and people assisting young children or someone with a disability are exempt from the new restrictions, according to the measure.

Schools can also still offer single-use or family bathrooms.

Ohio’s bathroom bill was debated for roughly 19 months before finally clearing the GOP-led Legislature on Nov. 13. 

DeWine signed the law over the objections of Democrats, teachers’ unions and civil rights groups who lobbied for a veto.

Supporters, though, hailed the measure.

“Common sense is on a winning streak in America today,” Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, which backed the bill, said in a statement.

“No student should be forced to go into the bathroom or locker room with a student of the opposite sex, and Ohio’s kids are better protected now because of Governor DeWine’s decision to sign this bill.”

Separately, a law that both prohibits gender-affirming care for minors and blocks transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ and women’s sports competitions took effect in the state in August.

At least 11 states have now adopted laws like Ohio’s that ban trans girls and women from girls and women’s bathrooms at public schools – and in some cases, in other government facilities.

Meanwhile, 24 states have laws, too, that dictate which sports competitions transgender girls and women can join.

With Post wires