Legislature Overrides DeWine Vetoes

[January 26, 2024]

Earlier this week, the Ohio Senate voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s vetoes on gender-affirming health care and local tobacco bans. The Ohio House of Representatives had already taken the same action. Since legislators reached the required three-fifths majority vote, both measures will become state law in 90 days.
 
The Senate voted 24-8 to override DeWine’s veto of HB 68. Sponsored by State Rep. Gary Click (R-Vickery), HB 68 places restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors, prohibiting them from starting hormone therapy and puberty blockers. The bill also restricts transgender girls from playing women’s sports in high school and college. DeWine vetoed the measure on December 29, following nearly a year of hearings and protests at the Statehouse. 
 
Physician organizations joined together to oppose HB 68 and work with the DeWine administration on rules related to gender-affirming care. 
 
It was the same vote, 24-8, to override DeWine’s veto of a provision that would prevent cities from banning flavored tobacco sales. Columbus and other Ohio cities had banned fruity vapes, menthol cigarettes, and other flavored tobacco products. The American Lung Association annual State of Tobacco Control released on Wednesday, gave Ohio an A in smokefree air but Fs in tobacco prevention and cessation funding, tobacco taxes, and flavored tobacco products.