The Ohio Senate recently passed a bill that restricts certain transgender rights for minors in the state. House Bill 68 includes two acts: the “Save Adolescents from Experimentation Act,” which prohibits transgender minors from receiving gender-affirming care, and the “Save Women’s Sports Act,” which prevents transgender girls from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. The bill passed the Senate with a vote of 24-8 after being approved by the Senate Oversight Committee earlier in the day. It had previously passed the House of Representatives in June but required a second vote due to amendments made by the Senate, which were ultimately approved.
The bill will now go to the desk of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, who has expressed opposition to anti-trans sports bans in the past. The bill has sparked controversy, with supporters claiming it protects children from unnecessary medical treatment, while critics argue it will harm transgender youth diagnosed with gender dysphoria.
This bill adds to a growing number of state laws that restrict LGBTQ health care access, with 26 bills passed in 20 states this year alone. Additionally, there are currently 24 states with laws or regulations that ban transgender students from participating in sports aligned with their gender identity. The issue remains a hotly debated topic with legal challenges in various states. Ultimately, the Ohio bill stands as a controversial piece of legislation that has drawn both support and criticism from different groups within the state.
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