Ohio governor signs 'bathroom bill' into law, restricting students from using opposite-sex restrooms

The law will take effect in 90 days and will restrict transgender students from using facilities associated with their gender identities.

It applies to public K-12 schools and institutions of higher education. It requires schools to designate separate bathrooms, locker rooms and overnight accommodations "for the exclusive use" of either males and females, based on one's gender assigned at or near birth, in both school buildings and facilities used for a school-sponsored event.

DeWine did not release a statement announcing he signed the bathroom bill on Wednesday.

"Common sense is on a winning streak in America today," said Aaron Baer, president of the Center for Christian Virtue, which backed the bill, in a statement.

"No student should be forced to go into the bathroom or locker room with a student of the opposite sex, and Ohio's kids are better protected now because of Governor DeWine's decision to sign this bill."

Riley Gaines, a former 12-time All-American swimmer at the University of Kentucky and an advocate of keeping biological males out of female sports, echoed those words.

"Common sense is making a comeback nationwide," Gaines wrote on X.

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost thanked DeWine "for siding with biology, history, safety and common sense."

"We will always have the backs of our trans community," the organization wrote on X. "Every Ohioan deserves the freedom to be loved, to be safe, to be trusted with decisions about healthcare and to access the facilities that align with their gender identity. We will not leave anyone behind. Trans Ohioans belong."

School employees, emergency situations and people assisting young children or someone with a disability are exempted from the restrictions, and schools can still offer single-use or family bathrooms.

At least 11 states have adopted laws barring transgender girls and women from girls' and women's bathrooms in public schools and, in some cases, other government facilities.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.