What This Bill Does
HB 693 redefines "affirmation" as a parent's right to acknowledge only a child's sex at birth. It includes claimed rights to: use only the child's legal name given at birth, use pronouns consistent with sex assigned at birth, seek mental health services to rid a child of a trans identity, and decline consent to gender-transition healthcare. It would prevent parents from being charged with abuse or neglect for refusing to recognize a child's trans identity.
Impact on LGBTQIA+ Ohioans
The bill is framed as "affirming families," but its substance inverts "affirmation" into a state-favored requirement of sex-at-birth recognition only. It effectively creates a legal shield for parents who reject their child's gender identity, including those who pursue conversion-style therapy — while blocking child welfare investigations that might otherwise protect vulnerable youth.
Legal & Constitutional Risks
- Child Welfare Collision — Expanded parental "rights" to reject gender identity vs. the state's interest in protecting minors from harm
- Immunization of Harm — If the bill blocks investigation of conduct otherwise considered neglectful, constitutional challenges follow
- Healthcare Access — Codifying a right to refuse evidence-based care raises medical ethics and liability questions
- Minors' health outcomes linked to denial of support may drive legal challenges