|
In response to the Cleveland City Council's bathroom legislation a group of local attorneys this week delivered a letter to the council stating:
"Reports of no fewer than ten assaults of girls and women in the past four years have occurred in and around women's public restrooms or locker rooms. In each case, the first indicia of wrong was that a man was in a place reserved for a woman. In October 2013, Councilman Joe Cimperman proposed an ordinance making unlawful any distinction between where a man or woman can use a public toilet. Would City Council advance its obligation to protect the health, safety and welfare of citizens by passing this ordinance?
The Ordinance will grant sex offenders easy access to potential victims of sex crimes
An ordinance blurring the distinction where a man or woman ought to be able to use the toilet would enable more crime. In numerous sexual crimes, the perpetrator had to disguise himself to gain access to a place that any witness would recognize he had no right."
The letter provides various criminal cases as examples of how the Cleveland law would impact the safety of citizens. Further they went on to say:
"The Ordinance violates Ohio state law regarding separate public restrooms
In places of public accommodation, Ohio law requires separate restroom and shower facilities for men and women. Ohio Administrative Code 4101:3-1, § 101.1. The Ohio Administrative Code incorporates the Uniform Plumbing Code regarding plumbing facilities. See UPC §§ 401 to 404. The proposed legislation would render nearly all places of public accommodation in the City of Cleveland with restrooms in violation of Ohio law.
For the safety of the citizens of Cleveland and to comply with current state law, Council must not pass Ordinance No. 1446-13."
Click this link to read the entire letter that was sent to Cleveland City Council.
http://www.neohiovaluesvoters.com/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderfiles/bathroombill.pdf
We are thankful for all who have taken a stand against this dangerous legislation and commend the attorneys who have provided a clear legal response to this outrageous action by Council members Cimperman and Zone.
| 
