Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a measure this week requiring that the state’s primary and secondary schools and higher education institutions designate restrooms for use only by biological males or females.
Senate Bill 104, the Protect All Students Act, sponsored by state Sens. Jerry Cirino, R-Kirtland, and Andrew Brenner, R-Delaware, mandates that multi-occupancy restrooms, changing rooms, locker rooms and overnight accommodations used by multiple students must be assigned for use by either male or female students.
“We are thankful that individuals will not have to worry about members of the opposite sex coming into restrooms, locker rooms, and changing rooms in Ohio,” state Rep. Adam Bird, R-New Richmond, said in a release. “Thank you, Governor DeWine, for signing this important legislation and keeping students safe.
The law, which takes effect on Feb. 24, 2025, will make Ohio the 14th state in the nation to pass student bathroom privacy protections. Unsurprisingly, the ACLU of Ohio was among the groups that opposed the measure and called on the governor to veto it after state lawmakers sent it to his desk.
“Common sense is on a winning streak in America today,” Center for Christian Virtue President Aaron Baer 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.
“Ohioans are rejecting the radical agenda of groups like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Equality Ohio,” Baer added. “Their political tactics have lost at the ballot box, and are losing at the General Assembly. It’s unbelievable to think these well-funded leftist organizations would think it’s okay to force girls to bunk with boys on overnight trips. But with SB104 law in Ohio, this insane agenda ends in Ohio.”
The new prohibition, previously introduced as House Bill 183, applies to locations where school-sponsored activities occur, including school facilities. Institutions of higher education, including state universities, community and technical colleges, and private nonprofit and for-profit career colleges, must use clear signage for these designations to ensure clarity for students and staff.
“We are grateful to the Governor for doing what is right and what is best for all Ohio students in kindergarten through college,” state Rep. Beth Lear, R-Galena, said in a release. “The Protect All Students Act will keep our children safe from exposure to the opposite sex while in private spaces.”
Proponents said they introduced the measure following concerns Ohioans raised about opposite-sex access to restrooms, locker rooms, and shared overnight accommodations.
“It takes courage and leadership to withstand the constant attacks from the left when you’re trying to protect children,” Baer said. “But that’s why I’m so grateful for Rep. Beth Lear, Rep. Adam Bird, and Sen. Jerry Cirino who led the charge for the Protect All Students Act, and never wavered.
“There is much work to be done to safeguard our children and ensure a brighter future, but with the newly elected General Assembly, there are endless opportunities before us,” Baer added.
Last year, DeWine vetoed a bill to ban “gender-affirming care” for minors and bar males from competing in women’s sports. However, state lawmakers overrode his veto, and the “gender-affirming care” ban for minors took effect earlier this year.
SB 104 began as a measure to amend Ohio’s College Credit Plus Program, which allows public or nonpublic high school students in seventh through 12th grades and home-schooled students to enroll in nonsectarian college courses to receive high school and college credit.
Lawmakers amended the bill to add the Protect All Students Act to it.
