Trans Bathroom Exclusion Bill Passes Higher Education Committee

COLUMBUS – State Rep. Joe Miller (D-Amherst) denounces the passage of HB 183 out of the House Higher Education Committee with a 10-5 vote along party lines this morning. 

“I am dismayed that the General Assembly continues to usurp the local school district and collegiate leadership decision-making processes on how to best provide safe and equitable access to restroom facilities for all students,” said Rep. Miller. “I urge my colleagues to reconsider the potential consequences of HB 183 in advance of a floor vote. Over and over again, the state legislature ignores hundreds of concerned Ohioans and instead passes purposely divisive legislation that is meant to distract Ohioans from the real problems our state faces in regard to Higher Education. ”

HB 183 seeks to restrict access to school restrooms, locker rooms, changing rooms, and shower rooms based on a person’s sex assigned at birth. HB 183 was introduced in October of 2023 and had over two and a half hours of Opponent Testimony on October 11. Over 100 Ohioans came to testify, including parents, youth, educators, school board members, church leadership, and advocates who gave in-person and written testimony on how HB 183 would negatively affect their schools and communities. Please review their testimony here.