COLUMBUS, Ohio — A temporary restraining order that blocks a ban on gender-affirming care for minors in Ohio has been extended again.
A hearing on the motion for preliminary injunction and trial on the merits of House Bill 68 in Franklin County Court of Common Pleas was initially scheduled for Thursday and Friday. The temporary block was set to expire on May 20.
The hearing is now scheduled for the week of July 15 where both sides will present their arguments. The temporary block will remain in effect until the hearing is over.
HB 68 bans gender-affirming surgeries and hormone therapies and restricts mental health care for transgender individuals under 18. The measure also bans transgender girls and women from girls and women’s sports teams at both the K-12 and collegiate levels.
The bill was initially vetoed by Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine in December. That veto was overridden by the Republican-dominated House and Senate and the law was set to take effect in April.
Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Holbrook issued the temporary block on the bill on April 16, saying in a written opinion that the law likely violates a requirement that state legislation deals with a single subject.
Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost filed an emergency motion in the Supreme Court of Ohio on House Bill 68, arguing that Holbrook overstepped his judicial authority. He is also asking the state supreme court to narrow the injunction.
The state attorney argues that the injunction is unlawful because it applies to the entire state and not just the two plaintiffs who challenged the law on March 26.