BEREA, Ohio – Ohio Senate Bill 104, more commonly known as the transgender bathroom bill, awaits a signature or veto from Gov. Mike DeWine, and until that happens, Berea City Schools Superintendent Tracy Wheeler said the district will wait for legal guidance on compliance.
Upon receipt of the bill, DeWine has 10 days to take action.
The bill forbids transgender K-12 and college students from using the bathroom or locker room that identifies with their gender identity. Instead, they must use facilities that align with their biological sex assigned at birth.
At least 11 other states have similar bathroom bans.
Wheeler addressed the topic during the Nov. 18 Board of Education meeting and told the board she will keep them informed.
“If the bill is signed by the governor … it goes into effect 90 days after that signature,” Wheeler said. “We’re probably going to have questions, so I think legal counsels everywhere are just holding on to when the governor signs it and then will start to give us directions as districts.
“I talked to some of our guidance counselors the other day, and they definitely have questions. After the governor signs it, there is going to be a lot of information that comes out.
“I will make sure the board is aware of that and how we’re going to proceed as a district.”
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