Lawmakers, healthcare providers and parents react to temporary halt of trans law

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — A law banning gender-affirming care for Ohioans younger than 18 and restricting transgender women’s and girls’ participation on sports teams was temporarily halted from going into effect on Tuesday.

The ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit last month challenging HB 68, also known as the Saving Ohio Adolescents from Experimentation (SAFE) Act, claiming it violated the state constitution.

Franklin County Judge Michael Holbrooke granted the ACLU’s motion for a temporary restraining order, halting the legislation. The law was set to go into effect on April 24.

Ohio Representative Jean Schmidt said she was disappointed in the judge’s decision.

“I think it’s a shame for women,” Schmidt said. “It’s a shame that the ACLU doesn’t understand the level of fairness that this bill presents.”

Families who said their child would be directly impacted by HB 68 if it takes effect said they are breathing a sigh of relief, at least for right now.

“It’s been a rollercoaster ride of emotions,” parent Jody Davis said. “It’s a lot of confusion about what is going to be available for my child years down the road here in Ohio.”

Davis is a nurse, social worker, and has an 11-year-old trans child who is in the THRIVE program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital. The program specializes in care for differences of sexual development and gender development.

“The idea that providers might not be able to refer them to care, it creates a lot of fear,” Davis said. “We might be able to start this intervention now, but legally, we may not be able to do anything else for our kid in the next year or two. It’s unsettling and confusing.”

ABC 6 reached out to Nationwide Children’s Hospital which sent this statement: “We are reviewing Tuesday’s decision and will continue to provide appropriate care for our patients under the law.”

Davis reiterated a concern ABC 6 has heard from families for months: that important medical decisions should be made within a family unit, not by lawmakers.

“This impacts so many families and I feel like the governor feels,” Davis said. “The choices about medical care should be between families and providers.

When DeWine was asked about the latest developments with the House Bill on Wednesday, he said, “We wait for the courts and this will be appealed and we will follow whatever the court tell us to do.”

DeWine initially vetoed the legislation in December 2023, but the Senate and House voted to override him weeks later.

Schmidt said she voted to overturn Gov. DeWine’s veto of HB 68 in January to protect the integrity of women’s sports.

“For men that become women, they present an unfair advantage to female athletes,” Schmidt said. “For those who have transitioned into female-hood, they want the opportunity to compete and I don’t blame them. But you can’t compete against a woman and think that’s fair. It’s not.”

The temporary restraining order will lead to hearings for a potential preliminary injunction later on. No court date has been set.