On Nov. 27, 2024, Governor Mike DeWine signed SB 104 which, in addition to making changes to Ohio’s College Credit Plus program, also included language to:
- Require districts to designate certain facilities (e.g. student restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms and shower rooms that are accessible by multiple students at the same time) for single-sex use.
- Prohibit districts from allowing members of one biological sex to use a facility designated for the opposite biological sex. The statute includes a definition of “biological sex.”
- Prohibit the use of multi-occupancy facilities labeled as “nongendered, multi-gendered or open to all genders.”
- Prohibit schools from allowing a member of one biological sex to share overnight accommodations with a member of the opposite biological sex.
In this Legal Ledger Sidebar, Sara Clark and Kenna Haycox sit down with Scott Gerfen to discuss SB 104, its exceptions, and its potential impact on K-12 schools in Ohio.
A written summary of the bill’s changes is available here. The law becomes effective on Feb. 25, 2025. Districts are encouraged to reach out to OSBA’s legal division at 855-OSBA-LAW for general information about the bill and its requirements. For specific questions about the bill’s impact on the district’s current practices or accommodations, districts are encouraged to work with their legal counsel.
Posted by Sara C. Clark on 12/16/2024