COLUMBUS, Ohio-The Ohio Supreme Court denied the state’s request to narrow a lower court’s order temporarily blocking a law prohibiting transgender youth from accessing health care and participating in girls’ and women’s sports. This decision maintains the temporary ban, allowing transgender youth to continue accessing health care and participating in sports according to their gender identity. J
ustice Pat DeWine suggested revisiting the issue of how temporary restraining orders are applied statewide, which could impact future abortion challenges. Justice Jennifer Brunner criticized DeWine’s arguments, labeling them as political rather than grounded in judicial principles. The decision pertained to whether a temporary hold on House Bill 68, implemented on April 24, was appropriate. Attorney General Dave Yost sought to limit the order to only two plaintiffs, but the majority opinion upheld the statewide temporary restraining order. Chief Justice Sharon Kennedy partially concurred with the majority opinion but would have granted an emergency motion requested by Yost.
