Ohio Senate joined the House of Representatives to override the veto by Governor Mike DeWine of the House Bill 68, also known as the SAFE Act, thereby banning critical gender-affirming health care for minors and transgender student-athletes from playing on sports teams that align with their gender identity, effectively banning them from school sports entirely.
Governor DeWine had vetoed the Bill on December 29, 2023, saying that” While there are rare times in the law — in other circumstances — where the State overrules the medical decisions made by the parents, I can think of no example where this is done, not only against the decision of the parents, but also against the medical judgement of the treating physician and the treating team of medical experts.
“Therefore, I cannot sign this bill as it is currently written, and this morning just a few moments ago, I vetoed the bill,” said Governor Mike DeWine while vetoing the bill.”
But the Republican majority House led by the Speaker of the House Jason Stephens and the Senate President Matt Huffman had vowed to override the Governor’s refusal to ascent to the Bill
In voting to override the Bill the Ohio Senate leader said “House Bill 68 protects women’s sports in Ohio. By maintaining the integrity of Title IX, the bill ensures that our daughters’ courts, playing fields, and locker rooms are safe, competitive, and for women only.
“The bill also prevents gender reassignment surgeries and the use of cross-sex hormones and puberty blockers for children, protecting youth from procedures and drugs that have life-long consequences while also ensuring access to mental health care.”
However, Senate Democratic Leader Nickie J. Antonio (D- Lakewood) condemned the Ohio Senate’s decision to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 68, which bans gender-affirming care for trans minors and bans transgender student athletes from participating in sports that align with their gender identity.
“Politicians have no business banning evidence-based, life-saving medical care – especially when it is endorsed by every major medical and mental health association,” said Antonio.
“We should listen to parents, providers, and patients, not willfully and purposely pass harmful legislation that will add to the mass exodus of individuals from the state of Ohio. Doctors, families, and professionals will leave our state if this bill is enacted.”
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