Moe v. Yost

Near the end of the 2023 state legislative session, Ohio’s legislature passed House Bill 68, a law that prohibits gender-affirming medical care such as hormone treatments and puberty blockers for transgender youth. The law was vetoed by Governor Mike DeWine, saying decisions about this care “should be made by the people who love these kids the most, and that’s the parents.”

Soon after, the legislature overrode Governor DeWine’s veto and enacted HB 68 into law. On behalf of two transgender adolescents and their families, the American Civil Liberties Union, the ACLU of Ohio, and the global law firm Goodwin filed a lawsuit in the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas.

Gender-affirming care is a range of medical treatments for those with gender dysphoria. Bans like HB 68 are broadly opposed by major medical associations nationwide, including but not limited to the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics, and the American Psychological Association.

In addition to H.B. 68, additional state restrictions are being imposed on trans youth through rules proposed by the Ohio Department of Health and the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services.

UPDATE 8/16/2024: On August 6, 2024, the trial court rejected plaintiffs’ challenge to H.B. 68 and vacated its prior temporary restraining order, allowing H.B. 68 to take effect immediately. The appellate court will be hearing plaintiffs’ appeal of that decision on an expedited basis, with oral argument scheduled for September 11, 2024.