COLUMBUS, Ohio — Legislation targeting bathrooms has received some adjustments at the Ohio Statehouse. House Bill 183 is a proposal that aims to create single-sex bathrooms in schools and universities.

It could force transgender individuals to use the bathroom or locker room based upon the gender they were assigned at birth, and not the one with which they identify with. This week, the sponsor of the bill put forth some changes at the statehouse. 

What You Need To Know

  • The bill was introduced last spring and continues to hear opponent and proponent testimony at the statehouse 

  • House Bill 183 would require K-12 schools and colleges and higher education institutions to build single-sex bathrooms

  • The bill contains exemptions for young kids who go into the restrooms with their parents, people suffering with disabilities, caretakers, emergency workers, and custodial staff

"It's a very you know, it's a private thing," said Steve Scherer a public school teacher in Ohio. 

Scherer has served as an educator for over 25 years in the Buckeye State, and said he personally has not dealt with public restroom facilities being an issue in the public school system. He told Spectrum News 1 a bathroom facility is a necessity for all students to use during school hours.

"It's like I'm sending you to the bathroom because they're just going to the bathroom," Scherer said. "We're not thinking about, are they going to this bathroom? Or, that bathroom." 

A proposal at the Ohio Statehouse is considering forcing students to use bathrooms and locker rooms in schools that are designed for the gender they were assigned at birth. It applies to K-12 schools and higher education institutions. It also requires those schools to designate single-sex bathrooms in their buildings. Republican state Rep. Adam Bird said he proposed the bill at the request of school officials.

"We will make sure that their safety for our children and,most people aren't comfortable with the boy going into the girls restroom. I don't understand why that's so hard to understand," said Bird. 

"I know that's happening across the country where men are invading the private spaces," said Dr. Kelly Kohls, executive director of the National School Boards Leadership Council. "And, whenever the girls tell somebody that, 'hey, there's a man in there. Hey, I'm terrified. Hey, I can't use the bathroom. I can't go into my locker room, I can't do this.' They're being totally dismissed and ignored. So we don't have any advocates for women's safety anymore." 

Meanwhile, Scherer believes this legislation could possibly hurt educators relationship's with their students and affect their mental health. He said working with the students each day, and then having to tell them to use separate facilities, will have an effect. 

"I feel like these students feel targeted by the bill when they're already at risk," said Scherer. "And, you have a bill that is specifically limiting them, and you are already creating additional mental health issues for these students." 

Minna Zelch with Trans Allies of Ohio believes the bill still goes too far with separating students. 

"We have transgender kids in our schools," Zelch said. "They've been there forever, and we have always had transgender people who have always had to use the restroom in public facilities. All this does is add another layer of judging people." 

House Bill 183 remains in the House Higher Education Committee and will continue to go through the legislative process.