The Ohio House of Representatives next week could take up a bill that would require single-sex bathrooms — one for biological males and one for biological females — in public schools and universities in the state.
House Bill 183, The Protect All Students Act, was passed by the House Higher Education Committee last week, 10-5.
"The bottom line of this legislation is to protect students. I don't see that as a controversial issue," state Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, said last week. "Many Ohioans don't want their local schools to allow the opposite sex into a restroom or locker room. The Protect All Students Act will eliminate difficult situations for school leaders and will create consistent policies across the state."
The legislation would also prohibit educational service centers from biological females sharing accommodations with biological males.
"The Protect All Students Act ... will keep our children safe from exposure to the opposite sex while in private spaces like restrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations," said state Rep. Beth Lear, R-Galena.
The House is back in session Wednesday.
Mark Swanson ✉
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