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Opponents Tell Ohio Judiciary Committee HB 249 Is Vague and Will Target Drag Performers and Trans People
Summary
At a lengthy hearing on House Bill 249, dozens of opponents — performers, lawyers and civil‑rights groups — told the Ohio House Judiciary Committee the bill’s broad language risks chilling free expression and could be used to criminalize transgender or gender‑nonconforming people. Supporters of the sponsor’s intent argued the measure targets obscene conduct in front of minors.
The Ohio House Judiciary Committee heard hours of testimony on House Bill 249 on the bill’s third hearing, with opponents arguing the measure’s vague definitions would invite arbitrary enforcement and target drag performers and transgender Ohioans.
Kimberly Burrows, a former county prosecutor and state public defender, told the committee the bill “is a content‑based restriction” that is “blatantly unconstitutional” and likely to trigger costly litigation. She warned the bill’s language — which references "adult cabaret" and anyone who “exhibits a gender identity that is different from their biological sex” — is imprecise enough to allow prosecutors and officers broad discretion to pursue cases that should not be criminal matters.
“The bill is also unconstitutionally vague,” Burrows said, arguing the…
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