(COLUMBUS) - Ohio lawmakers have introduced two new bills that would expand restrictions affecting transgender residents, with measures focused on public facilities, schools and correctional housing.
One proposal, House Bill 798, would require multi-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms and similar public facilities to be designated by biological sex. The bill would also restrict educators from using a student's chosen name or pronouns without parental consent and would allow lawsuits against institutions accused of violating the policy.
A second measure, House Bill 796, would require inmates in correctional facilities to be housed according to their assigned sex at birth, expanding prior state efforts tied to gender identity policy.
Both bills were introduced by State Representative Josh Williams and have now been referred to Ohio House committees for further review.
The proposals have already drawn criticism from LGBTQ advocacy groups, who say the measures target transgender Ohioans and could have broad effects on schools, public facilities and state institutions.