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<p>Supporters of the bill say they are trying to protect women and girls from humiliation, intimidation and violence.</p>
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<p>The Ohio House of Representatives has passed a bill that would require schools and colleges to designate male-only and female-only bathrooms and locker rooms. </p>
<p>“No school shall permit a member of the male biological sex to use a student restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room that has been designated by the school for the exclusive use of the female biological sex,” the<a href="https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/legislation/135/hb183" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> measure</a> states, with similar language prohibiting females from using male facilities.</p>
<p>The proposed legislation would also prohibit males and females from sharing overnight accommodations.</p>
<p>But the measure would allow schools to allow students to use “single-occupancy facilities” or “faculty facilities” if a student requests to do so “due to special circumstances.”</p>
<p>It would also allow what it calls a “family facility” that would serve a parent, guardian or family member assisting a child under age 10.</p>
<p>The vote on the measure, which was tacked onto another bill late Wednesday night, was 60-31 in favor, largely along party lines, with all Democrats opposing and all but two Republicans voting in favor.</p>
<p>Supporters of the bill say they are trying to protect women and girls from humiliation, intimidation and violence.</p>
<p>“Boys and girls should not be in locker rooms together. They should not be in bathrooms together and they should not be sharing overnight accommodations,” said state Rep. Beth Lear, R-Galena,<a href="https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2024/06/27/ohio-house-passes-transgender-bathroom-and-locker-room-ban-for-k-12-schools-and-colleges/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> according to the <i>Ohio Capital Journal</i></a>. </p>
<p>Opponents of the bill say it’s a swipe at students who identify as transgender. </p>
<p>“I didn’t anticipate we would be using the power of the state to bully transgender children and individuals today. As far as protecting girls and women, I will tell you as a woman, I do not want nor need your protection,” said Ohio state Rep. Beth Liston, D-Dublin,<a href="https://x.com/Liston4Ohio/status/1806309090726936614" target="_blank" rel="noopener"> according to the <i>Ohio Capital Journal</i></a>. </p>
<p>The bill’s future is uncertain. The Ohio Senate would have to agree to the language for it to go to Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, who has not said publicly whether he would sign it. In January, the <a href="https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/256630/ohio-bans-sex-changes-for-kids-overriding-gov-dewines-veto" target="_blank" rel="noopener">governor vetoed a law banning gender transitioning for minors</a>. The Legislature later overrode his veto and passed the legislation.</p>
<p>Since the state Legislature has gone on summer recess, it’s not clear when or whether the state Senate will vote on the bill.</p>
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<br /><a href="https://www.ncregister.com/cna/ohio-house-backs-single-sex-bathrooms-in-schools">Source link </a></p>
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Ohio House Backs Single-Sex Bathrooms in Schools| National Catholic Register
