New language in the state budget bill would redefine legal sex as “biological sex” under state law and has added one of the most restrictive ID bills in the country.  The Ohio legislature is preparing to vote on a budget bill that would redefine legal sex as “biological sex” under state law. This is not just semantics—it’s a direct attack on trans, nonbinary, and intersex Ohioans. If passed, this language would:
- require people to have their “biological sex” displayed on driver’s licenses and/or state IDs
- put those with updated birth certificates out of compliance with the federal Real ID law

This is a cruel, unnecessary move that erases our identities and puts our community at greater risk of discrimination, harassment, and violence.

We need your voice—RIGHT NOW.
***transohio.org/calls-to-action***

***   To clarify: The proposed Ohio budget HB96 as of 6/4/25 DOES NOT criminalize IDs for trans people, it DOES NOT make it a misdemeanor to update your ID. We apologize for the error, the confusion is part of the point of a budget that is over 5K pages, and we wanted to get the most correct information to everyone as soon as we realized.  ***

The Ohio legislature has proposed what would be one of the 5 most restrictive anti-trans ID laws in the country. It's okay to feel fire, fury, and fear—we all are.

Also know that there are thousands of trans people leading their lives where a similar law exists. If ever you wanted to fight, now is the time.

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TAKE ACTION TODAY

Right now, the Ohio legislature is preparing to vote on a budget bill that would redefine legal sex as “biological sex” under state law. This is not just semantics—it’s a direct attack on trans, nonbinary, and intersex Ohioans. If passed, this language would: require people have their  “biological sex” displayed on driver’s licenses and/or state IDs and put those with updated birth certificates out of compliance with the federal Real ID law.

This is a cruel, unnecessary move that erases our identities and puts our community at greater risk of discrimination, harassment, and violence.
 

We need your voice—RIGHT NOW. 

CALL your Ohio Senator and tell him or her to oppose any budget provisions that includes anti-trans language.
 

“Hi, my name is [Your Name] and I live in [Your County]. I’m calling to ask the Senator to oppose any budget language that redefines 'sex' as 'biological sex.' This harms trans and nonbinary Ohioans, and it does not belong in our state’s budget. Please reject this cruel and unnecessary provision.”

Submit public testimony: here. Look up your senator: here. Contact the Governor: here. 

Hearing notice: Friday, June 6 at 9:00AM

The Ohio Senate Finance Committee will have the 12th hearing on HB96, the state budget bill, on Friday, June 6th at 9:00AM in the Senate Hearing Room - or watch on the Ohio Channel.

Upload your testimony: 

Write your concerns with the budget and save it as a PDF Select the budget bill on the webform, Legislation H.B.96Include your name (does not need to be legal name)Include your email Include your contact phone number and/or mailing address (optional)Upload your testimony as a PDF Indicate if you are testifying as an opponent, someone who has concerns about the bill Indicate whether you will be testifying in person at the Ohio Statehouse (verbal) or in writing only Complete the CAPTCHA to prove you're a real person Submit by 8:59AM on Thursday, June 5Call (614-644-7718) or e-mail Committee Chair, Sen. Cirino (R) and call (614-466-5204) or e-mail Ranking Member Sen. Hicks-Hudson (D).

Contact your Senator. Then contact Governor Mike DeWine: 614-466-3555.

If passed, this would be one of the most restrictive ID laws in the country!

We know the real goal of this is to do harm through stress and fear – we don't know if it will pass, and we don't know how it would be implemented or enforced if it does pass. Frankly, neither do our elected officials.

We are currently discussing how best to push back against this newest attempt to restrict our rights. We know from previous legislation in Ohio and similar in other states that pushing back with messaging on how local businesses will be impacted; how people won't come to Ohio for concerts or sporting events; how people won't want to come to school here, vacation here or even drive through. Financial impact is a language that these legislators all speak. We will follow up with additional details as we have them.

TransOhio is not going anywhere! We will continue to provide support, aid and resources, always. No law, no matter how cruel and vile, will make trans people not be a part of this state. Ohio is our home, too.
 

Submit Testimony

Key Issues with the proposed State Budget

Redefinition of "Sex" 
The bill proposes to legally define sex strictly as male or female. This change would exclude recognition of transgender, nonbinary, and intersex individuals, potentially requiring them to carry identification documents that do not align with their gender identity. Such a definition could also impact access to gender-affirming care and other services. 

Restrictions on LGBTQ+ Support 
The bill includes provisions to stop funding youth homeless shelters that specifically assist LGBTQ+ individuals and families as well as language that decreases funding for harm reduction efforts. The bill also mandates that all materials with LGBTQ+ content be made inaccessible to minors in public libraries. Lastly, the bill seeks to prohibit the display of Pride flags on government buildings, limiting visible support for the LGBTQ+ community. 

Changes to Education
The bill proposes restructuring the State Board of Education by eliminating 11 elected positions and reducing the number of appointed members to 5. This shift could centralize control and diminish public representation in educational policymaking. 

Reallocation of Cannabis Tax Revenue
The bill alters the distribution of marijuana tax revenues, diverting promised funds away from previously designated social justice and community programs. The people already voted on this.

Anti-Life Provisions
The bill permits higher levels of lead in our drinking water. The bill restricts Medicaid reimbursement for doula services to only 6counties with the highest infant mortality rates, potentially limiting access to these services in other regions. The bill also significantly decreases funding for mental health care programs and harm reduction efforts. 

Labor Concerns
The bill undermines collective bargaining rights for workers, prohibits faculty and staff at public universities from striking, and restricts the number of hours state employees are allowed to work from home. 

Income Tax Favoring High Earners
The budget introduces a 2.75% flat income tax, reducing rates for individuals earning over $102,400. This change disproportionately benefits higher-income individuals while offering minimal relief to lower-income residents. The shift may also reduce state revenue, potentially impacting funding for essential public services

Cuts to Public Services
The bill arbitrarily reduces funding for essential services, including public education, childcare, healthcare, and food assistance programs. Simultaneously, it allocates substantial funds—reportedly a $600 million handout—to billionaire interests. 

Lack of Coordination in Public Benefit Programs
HB96 maintains provisions that will likely impede the coordination and efficiency of public benefit systems, including Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and WIC. The bill's language could lead to fragmented services, making it even more challenging for individuals to access comprehensive support.

Senate Finance Committee Members:
Senator Jerry Cirino (R), Chair
Senator Brian Chavez (R), Vice Chair
Senator Paula Hicks-Hudson (D), Ranking Member
Senator Louis Blessing, III (R)
Senator Andrew Brenner (R)
Senator Hearcel Craig (D)
Senator Catherine Ingram (D)
Senator George Lang (R)
Senator Susan Manchester (R)
Senator Nathan Manning (R)
Senator Sandra O'Brien (R)
Senator Thomas Patton (R)
Senator Mark Romanchuk (R)
Senator Shane Wilkin (R)