Ohio House passes bill limiting transgender students' bathroom access in schools.

The Ohio state Senate has passed a bill prohibiting schools from permitting students of the opposite sex to use restrooms and locker rooms.

The legislation mandates that Republican Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine sign it into law, which restricts transgender students from utilizing facilities that correspond with their gender identities.

The Protect All Students Act, Senate Bill 104, was passed 24-7 on a party-line vote on Wednesday. The House version of the bill was passed prior to the chamber's summer break in June.

The bill will be signed into law by DeWine within the next 10 days, as the governor has stated his intention to do so after conducting a legal review, according to the Associated Press.

The bill mandates that public K-12 schools and institutions of higher education must have separate bathrooms, locker rooms, and overnight accommodations designated specifically for males and females based on one's gender assigned at or near birth, in both school buildings and facilities used for school-sponsored events.

The bill was supported by Republicans, including state Sen. Jerry Cirino, who stated that it prioritizes safety and security. However, the ACLU of Ohio criticized the bill as an infringement on the privacy rights of LGBTQ+ Ohioans, arguing that it will make them more vulnerable.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio's policy director, Jocelyn Rosnick, expressed disappointment over the Ohio General Assembly's ongoing attacks against transgender and gender non-conforming individuals in the state.

"Senate Bill 104 is an unjustified violation of students' privacy rights, potentially leading to unauthorized disclosure of confidential personal information by the government."

The group urged DeWine to reject the bill and is now evaluating its options.

The Center for Christian Virtue, a conservative Christian lobbying organization, praised legislators for passing the bill and urged DeWine to sign it.

"David Mahan, CCV Policy Director, stated that today marks a significant triumph for children and families in Ohio as it ensures that only females can enter young ladies' private spaces, not men who claim to be female."

The bill, S.B. 104, which modifies the state's college credit system, was according to Cirino, a matter of common sense.

"Legislative authority is being used to ensure schools are safe environments, particularly in private spaces where children and grandchildren are most vulnerable, as Cirino stated in the Ohio Capital Journal," said Cirino. "Bathrooms, showers, and changing rooms should all be safe places for our students."

Across the country, debates are taking place over transgender individuals using restrooms that correspond with their gender and participating in female sports. Trump has consistently pledged to prevent men from competing in women's sports.

In some cases, 11 states have enacted laws prohibiting transgender girls and women from using girls' and women's bathrooms in public schools and other government facilities.

In Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Utah, the laws are in effect. However, a judge's order has put enforcement on hold in Idaho.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.