A challenged Ohio bill that would ban transgender medical treatment for children and transgender athletes in youth sports could go ahead after a judge ruled Tuesday to reject a challenge by the American Civil Liberties Union.
The bill, which was originally passed by the Ohio House and Senate on Dec. 13, 2023, would make it illegal for health care professionals in Ohio to perform gender reassignment surgery or prescribe puberty blockers to patients under the age of 18.
It also bars transgender athletes from participating in organized sports for a gender other than the one they were assigned at birth.
Exceptions may be made in very specific emergency situations or for minors with pre-existing health conditions.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, vetoed the bill, citing concerns it would harm transgender youth more than other young people.
However, Republican supermajorities in both the House and Senate of the state Legislature overrode Governor DeWine’s veto in late January.
However, the ACLU quickly filed a lawsuit, and the bill was put on hold.
Franklin County District Court Judge Michael Holbrook, who initially put the bill on hold, later dismissed the lawsuit and upheld the bill.
The ruling put Ohio’s anti-transgender law into effect, but the ACLU has vowed to appeal the decision.
In a public statement, Ohio House Minority Leader Allison Russo called the court’s decision “alarming.”
“House Democrats are committed to protecting the well-being of all children, putting people first, and continuing to oppose bills that would restrict Ohioans’ freedom to be themselves and access the health care they need,” she said.
Doctors who violate the new law could have their licenses revoked, and sports leagues and schools that violate the law could lose significant state funding.
Ohio would join other U.S. states, including Tennessee and Arkansas, that already have similar laws in place.
