Ohio SB 104

Bowling Green State University continuously gathers information regarding new federal and state laws, executive orders and guidance and is actively engaged in how to achieve full compliance with new requirements. In November 2024, the Ohio Legislature passed Senate Bill 104 which includes provisions regarding single-sex access to muti-occupancy restrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms, and changing rooms in institutions of higher education. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed the bill into law on November 26, 2024, with it taking effect February 25, 2025.

Direct language of law pertaining to institutions of higher education, as provided in Senate Bill 104
  • Each institution of higher education shall designate with clear signage each student restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room accessible by multiple students at the same time for the exclusive use by students of the male biological sex only or by students of the female biological sex only.
  • No institution of higher education shall knowingly permit a member of the female biological sex to use a student restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room that has been designated by the school for the exclusive use of the male biological sex. No institution of higher education shall knowingly permit a member of the male biological sex to use a student restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room that has been designated by the school for the exclusive use of the female biological sex.
  • No institution of higher education shall construct, establish, or maintain a multi-occupancy facility that is designated as nongendered, multigendered, or open to all genders.
  • Nothing in division (B)(3) of this section shall be construed to prohibit an institution of higher education from constructing, establishing, or maintaining a family facility.
  • Nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit an institution of higher education from establishing and enforcing a policy on the use of a multi-occupancy facility. Any policy adopted by an institution of higher education in accordance with this section shall provide an option for alternative accommodations, including, but not limited to, the use of single-occupancy facilities or faculty facilities.
  • (D) The prohibition described in division (B) of this section does not apply to any of the following:
    • (1) A child under the age of ten who is being assisted by a parent, guardian, or family member, as well as the parent, guardian, or family member who is assisting the child;
    • (2) A person with a disability who is being assisted by another person, as well as the person providing assistance to the person with a disability;
    • (3) An employee of the institution of higher education whose job duties require the employee to enter a restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room that is designated for a biological sex that is different than the employee's biological sex;
    • (4) A person who enters a restroom, locker room, changing room, or shower room that is designated for a biological sex that is different than the person's biological sex because the person reasonably believes the person is responding to a legitimate emergency.

To meet the legal requirements as enacted by Ohio’s elected representatives, Bowling Green State University has developed a plan for the implementation of SB 104, with actions as followed:    

  • After an initial review of all the University’s restroom facilities, Bowling Green State University has updated affected facilities and/or signage, to be converted to either single use or sex-specific facilities.
  • Bowling Green State University has communicated these required changes to residential students who were directly impacted by SB 104 and has provided alternative options and community support.

Bowling Green State University remains committed to fostering a supportive and welcoming campus and continues to provide single-occupancy restrooms, open to all individuals, in the majority of its facilities. For additional information or resources and community support, please contact the Division of Inclusion and Belonging at inclusion@bgsu.edu. If you have maintenance-related or facilities concerns, please submit a work order to Campus Operations.

Updated: 03/12/2025 02:15PM