Ohio House Bill 68 (HB68), which went into effect on August 6, 2024, marks an unprecedented change to BH practice in Ohio. Since the start of licensure for BH providers in Ohio there has never been a law restricting standard practice so explicitly and discriminately without any basis in research or best practice standards. HB 68 bans gender-affirming medical care and hinders access to mental healthcare for transgender and gender-diverse youth in Ohio. It also infringes upon ethical social work practice. The bill is in effect now, putting both BH providers and their transgender and gender-diverse minor clients at risk. In response, NASW Ohio has developed written practice guidance and trainings to supply behavioral health providers with the necessary understanding of the law to equip them with the knowledge and tools needed to provide the highest quality care possible while protecting themselves from excessive liability risks and disciplinary action.

Written Practice Guidance

NASW Ohio has created written practice guidance to help behavioral health care professionals navigate HB 68 and Gender Affirming Care.

Read the guidance here>>

2-Hour Training on Practice Guidance

Practice Guidance for Behavioral Health Care Professionals Regarding Gender Affirming Care/HB 68

Presenters: Lee Tepper, LISW-S, Danielle Smith, LSW, Liam Strausbaugh, LSW, and Hannah Ware, LSW

Watch the recording here>>

Full-day live training course details are below. We do recommend attending the full day training - it's free! 

Navigating New Laws: Gender Affirming Care Training for Behavioral Health Workers

NASW Ohio has developing a full day training that goes into greater depth on how behavioral health providers can adapt their practice in response to HB 68 to provide the highest quality care possible to transgender and gender diverse youth while protecting themselves from excessive liability risks and disciplinary action. The training will be offered throughout Ohio to agencies, universities, and through area based trainings. Participants can earn 6 ethics CEUs.

If your agency or other groups you are associated with may be interested in bringing the full day training into your agency/organization/group please fill out this form>>>

We also have upcoming trainings that are free and open to individual clinicians depending on your location, please check out those options on our calendar here>>>

Please note that if there are none currently listed, or none in your region, we do hope to have funding to schedule more soon. 

This program is made possible by generous funding from:

More Resources 

Read NASW Ohio's Gender Affirming Care Whitepaper, published in Fall 2023>>>

Downloadable Resource for Minors - What you need to know about new policies and limits to confidentiality for minors in mental health services>>>