COLUMBUS, Ohio — Governor Mike DeWine has vetoed House Bill 68, a measure seeking to ban gender-affirming care for minors and restrict transgender student-athletes from participating in girls’ and women’s sports. Despite acknowledging the contentious nature of the issue, DeWine emphasized the need to prioritize children’s well-being in his decision.
DeWine’s veto allows minors in Ohio to continue receiving gender reassignment medication, which can be reversible, but it prohibits physical surgery until the age of 18. The Governor stressed the importance of parental involvement and doctor consent in decisions regarding a child’s gender-affirming care.
In addition to the veto, DeWine has initiated new state regulations prohibiting surgery for gender reassignment on minors and banning the opening of clinics selling gender enhancement medications. He also mandated the establishment of a database for doctors to report transgender care, aiming to monitor and regulate the treatment of minors.
The decision follows extensive consultations with medical professionals, families affected by gender-affirming care, and visits to hospitals. He said he traveled the state and spoke to families and transgender children and adults who said they would have taken their lives if they did not get the medical treatment they needed.
Lt. Gov. Jon Husted expressed support for the bill on social media, citing concerns about men competing in women’s sports and advocating against permanent gender-related medical decisions for children.
This development comes after the Ohio House and Senate approved House Bill 68 earlier this month. The legislation faced criticism and support, with some arguing against minors receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapies. Amendments were made to allow Ohio-resident minors currently undergoing gender-affirming care to continue without interruption.
Governor DeWine’s decision sets Ohio apart in the ongoing national debate, as more than 20 states have enacted laws restricting or banning gender-affirming treatments for minors. Legal challenges persist, with courts providing mixed rulings on the constitutionality of these measures.