Lawmaker demands sex toys be banned from Target & Walmart after previous law was declared unconstitutional
One US state has passed a new law that would prohibit sex toys from being sold at retail establishments like Target and Walmart.
A recently elected lawmaker wants to propose a rule restricting sales to sexual establishments like sex stores and strip clubs.
Texas is about to enact new legislation after a previous rule that restricted the sale of sex toys to six products at a time was declared “unconstitutional.”
After winning the November election to represent District 55 in Texas, Representative Hillary Hickland pre-filed a bill imposing “restrictions on the sale of obscene devices.”
Vibrators and other similar devices will only be sold to “sexually-oriented businesses,” like strip clubs and sex stores, under Bill HB 1549.
Hickland, who spoke in favor of the law, stated that the action was taken to shield kids from exposure to such things.
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“Children have a right to grow up without being subjected to explicit material that they cannot fully understand and that could harm their development,” she stated.
Major retailers like CVS, Target, and Walmart that now offer sex toys would be impacted by the bill.
“Allowing sexually explicit items in family-friendly stores takes away that right and places an undue burden on parents to guard their kids against inappropriate exposure in spaces meant for basic necessities like food and toiletries,” Hickland continued.
Hickland posted pictures of sex toys she discovered for sale at nearby shops on social media.
The Lone Star State has a history of restricting or outright prohibiting sex toys.
The sale of sex toys was outlawed in Texas in 1973 by a state law.
In 2003, this was revised and loosened to permit their sale but criminalize possessing six or more devices.
However, this law was repealed in 2008 after being ruled illegal.
If the new ban gets a two-thirds majority of the vote, it will take effect right away.
The law will go into effect on September 1, 2025, if it is passed with a majority that is less than super majority.
Regular retailers who are found to be selling sex toys risk hefty fines of up to $5,000 for each infraction.
TEXAS SEX TOY LAW
What is HB 1549, the proposed law in Texas that would limit the sale of sex toys in the Lone Star State?
- Proposed Texas House Bill 1549 would restrict the sale of obscene devices, ie sex toys.
- Proposed by incoming Texas Rep. Hillary Hickland, the bill would limit the sale of “obscene” toys to sex shops and strip clubs.
- Stores found selling such items would be fined $5,000 for each violation.
- If the law passes with a two-thirds supermajority, it will go into effect immediately.
- If it passes but with less than a supermajority, it will go into effect from September 1, 2025.
The law has drawn criticism for being an overreaction.
According to Texas Senator Nathan Johnson, “this is such a grotesque display of misplaced priorities that it is disheartening,” the Dallas Observer reported.
“I hope we get over this stuff real fast because the voters, including Republican primary voters, Democratic primary voters, every voter, really need us to perform our job.”
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The move has been criticized by Republican party members as well.
Sarah Stogner, a newly elected Republican district attorney, said on X last month in response to a tweet from Hickland advocating for the law, “I see you’re still obsessed with dildos.” Maybe you ought to purchase one and give it a try. may help you become less stiff.
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