Supporters of the bill say they are trying to protect women and girls from humiliation, intimidation and violence.

The Ohio House of Representatives has passed a bill that would require schools and colleges to designate male-only and female-only bathrooms and locker rooms. 

“No school shall permit a member of the male biological sex to use a student restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room that has been designated by the school for the exclusive use of the female biological sex,” the measure states, with similar language prohibiting females from using male facilities.

The proposed legislation would also prohibit males and females from sharing overnight accommodations.

But the measure would allow schools to allow students to use “single-occupancy facilities” or “faculty facilities” if a student requests to do so “due to special circumstances.”

It would also allow what it calls a “family facility” that would serve a parent, guardian or family member assisting a child under age 10.

The vote on the measure, which was tacked onto another bill late Wednesday night, was 60-31 in favor, largely along party lines, with all Democrats opposing and all but two Republicans voting in favor.

Supporters of the bill say they are trying to protect women and girls from humiliation, intimidation and violence.

“Boys and girls should not be in locker rooms together. They should not be in bathrooms together and they should not be sharing overnight accommodations,” said state Rep. Beth Lear, R-Galena, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. 

Opponents of the bill say it’s a swipe at students who identify as transgender. 

“I didn’t anticipate we would be using the power of the state to bully transgender children and individuals today. As far as protecting girls and women, I will tell you as a woman, I do not want nor need your protection,” said Ohio state Rep. Beth Liston, D-Dublin, according to the Ohio Capital Journal. 

The bill’s future is uncertain. The Ohio Senate would have to agree to the language for it to go to Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, who has not said publicly whether he would sign it. In January, the governor vetoed a law banning gender transitioning for minors. The Legislature later overrode his veto and passed the legislation.

Since the state Legislature has gone on summer recess, it’s not clear when or whether the state Senate will vote on the bill.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are one of the most talked-about teams in college football. As a result, they’ll likely be one of the most-played teams when the highly-anticipated College Football 25 video game officially releases on Friday, July 19. 

Ohio State’s popularity matches its talent, and the game developers at EA clearly agree. The official CFB 25 team ratings were revealed Friday, and the Buckeyes come in tied as the second-best team in the game at a 93 overall. The Oregon Ducks also received a 93 overall rating while the Georgia Bulldogs are the highest-rated team at 95 overall. 

Here’s the top 10: 

Georgia – 95 overall

Ohio State – 93 overall

Oregon – 93 overall

Alabama – 92 overall 

Texas – 92 overall 

Clemson – 90 overall 

Notre Dame – 90 overall 

LSU – 90 overall 

Penn State – 88 overall

Utah – 88 overall

Ohio State transfer running back Quinshon Judkins is one of the featured athletes on the deluxe cover of the game. He helps headline an elite Buckeyes transfer class. 

Along with Judkins, a former Ole Miss star, the Buckeyes also landed talented Alabama safety Caleb Downs earlier this offseason. Elsewhere on the roster, the departure of Kyle McCord left the team looking for a QB early in the offseason, but that void was filled quickly by Kansas State transfer Will Howard, who brings four years of experience to the position. 

Ohio State also added five-star freshman Jeremiah Smith, who’s expected to immediately contribute next season as arguably the best freshman in the country. Considering that he’s not usually the first one brought up when discussing the roster is a great sign for Buckeye fans that have a loaded roster to cheer for — and play as — once again.

There will be tons of new and exciting players for Ohio State fans to play as once the game officially drops next month.

With the first presidential debate already in the rearview mirror, it’s time to look forward: Election Day is just over four months away.

Don’t panic. There’s still plenty of time to register to vote; the deadline to register for the Nov. 5 general election is Oct. 7.

More: ‘Trump certainly gave us something to vote against,’ disappointed Dem says after debate

Need to brush up on how to get your name on the voter rolls? Here’s what you need to know:

How to register to vote in Ohio

Ohio residents over the age of 18 can register to vote online, by mail or in person.

Online registration is available on the Ohio Secretary of State’s website. You’ll need an Ohio driver’s license or state ID, a valid Ohio address and the last four digits of your Social Security number to register online.

To register by mail, potential voters can fill out a voter registration form and mail it to a county board of election or the secretary of state’s office. You only need a valid Ohio ID or the last four digits of your Social Security number to register this way, along with a valid address.

The requirements for in-person registration are the same as mail registration. To register in person, Ohio residents can visit any of these locations to fill out a form, according to the Ohio Secretary of State:

• The Secretary of State’s office
• Any of the 88 county boards of elections
• The office of the registrar or any deputy registrar of the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles
• Public libraries
• Public high schools or vocational schools
• County treasurers’ offices
• Offices of designated agencies, including:
  • The Department of Job and Family Services
  • The Department of Health (including the Women, Infants and Children [WIC] program)
  • The Department of Mental Health
  • The Department of Developmental Disabilities
  • Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities
  • The office of any state-assisted college or university responsible for providing assistance to students with disabilities

More: Local Republicans laugh at President Biden during debate with Donald Trump

Keep in mind that you have to live in Ohio for at least 30 days before the election to be eligible to vote, so if you’re planning on moving to the Buckeye state in October or November, you’ll be out of luck.

NHart@dispatch.com

@NathanRHart