New Ohio Bill Targets Transgender Students’ Names
Republican lawmakers recently introduced Ohio House Bill (HB) 190, dubbed “The Given Name Act,” at the Ohio Statehouse. Specifically, this bill aims to restrict public school staff from using names or pronouns for transgender students that differ from their birth certificates. Meanwhile, cisgender students can still use common nicknames like Tony or Liz without issue.
What Does ‘The Given Name Act’ Entail?
Under HB 190, school staff cannot intentionally request or use transgender students’ preferred names or pronouns without parental consent. Additionally, educators must report any student requesting such accommodations to administrators, who then notify parents. Furthermore, the bill mandates that the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce create a system to handle complaints about violations.
Funding at Risk for Non-Compliance
If schools fail to comply, they could lose up to 10% of their monthly state funding. For context, Ohio allocates about $9.74 billion annually for K-12 education, equating to $5,796 per student. Consequently, this penalty could significantly impact school budgets, prompting debate over enforcement.
Influence of Anti-LGBTQ+ Groups
Sponsored by Rep. Jonathan Newman (R-Troy), alongside Reps. Josh Williams (R-Oregon) and Gary Click (R-Fremont), HB 190 mirrors model legislation from the Heritage Foundation. Notably, this group also crafted Project 2025, a controversial policy agenda. As a result, critics argue the bill reflects growing anti-LGBTQ+ influence in Ohio.
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