Click's SAFE Act Supported in House Vote

COLUMBUS – State Representative Gary Click (R-Vickery) announced that the Ohio House of Representatives approved the Save Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act by a vote of 64-28 Wednesday.

The legislation focuses on protecting children who are experiencing gender dysphoria from harmful irreversible sex change procedures including chemical castration through puberty blockers, harmful opposite sex hormones that set the endocrine system at odds with their DNA, and invasive surgical procedures.

“Our opponents argue from a place of eminence rather than evidence,” Click said. “In other words it’s ‘because we said so,’ rather than because it is so. That may work when it comes from Mom or Dad but that is not enough when it comes from the healthcare industry. Ohio’s families deserve better.”

The SAFE Act secures parental rights by requiring parental consent to counseling. It further insists on best practices by requiring gender dysphoric patients to be screened for common comorbidities such as depression, ADHD, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and other mental health conditions, as well as trauma and abuse.  

Added to the bill during the committee process, the Save Women’s Sports Act also passed through the house as a part of the SAFE Act vote. This legislation will ensure young men cannot compete in female-only sports in Ohio. 

Click welcomes the passage of the SAFE Act and Save Women’s Sports as the next mile marker in the marathon to protect women and children in Ohio. 

“I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate and our Governor DeWine to advance best practices in Ohio for our treasured youth.” 

The SAFE Act now heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.