Ohio legislators pass bill to end gender-affirming care for minors

After approval by the state House of Representatives, the Ohio Senate overwhelmingly supported the bill to ban gender reassignment medical treatments for minors. The bill also proposes banning trans athletes from competing in sports categories other than that of their biological sex.

The bill passed with 24 votes in the state Senate and only eight against. Both chambers of this 135th Ohio General Assembly have a Republican majority. Only one Republican senator voted against the bill along with Democrats.

For HB 68 to become law, it will have to be signed by Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. The bill will be sent to his office in the coming weeks. The Republican has not said whether he will sign the bill into law.

If DeWine completes the legislative process, Ohio would become the twenty-second state in the country to pass a law banning minors from accessing transgender treatment. This type of measure is gaining popularity, not only in the United States but also in Europe.

Another 23 states also passed laws to limit trans athletes from participating in sports competitions with athletes of the opposite biological sex. There have been several controversial incidents at university and high school competitions in recent years, especially since the Riley Gaines case rose to fame.