A new legislative proposal in Texas could restrict major retailers like Walmart and Target from selling sex toys.
Republican Representative Hillary Hickland, a recently elected official representing Temple in Central Texas, proposed H.B. 1549, which seeks to classify these devices as “obscene” and would limit their sale to specifically designated sex-oriented businesses.
Sex toys, including vibrators, are currently available at prominent retailers such as Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens.
Hickland’s proposal aims to ensure that these items are only sold in specialized stores. If the bill is passed, stores violating this mandate could face fines of up to $5,000 for each infraction.
Hickland has garnered support from fellow Republican lawmakers, including Christin Bentley.
Bentley has expressed concerns about what she perceives as the increasing exposure of sexually provocative content to children in public spaces.
In a statement, Bentley asserted the need for the bill as a protective measure for children, emphasizing the state’s compelling interest in preventing the sexualization of children and safeguarding their safety and well-being.
The proposed legislative measure has revived a long-standing debate over the sale and regulation of sex toys in the state of Texas.
A law passed in 1973 and updated in 2003 banning the ownership of six or more sex toys was ruled unconstitutional by federal courts in 2008, though it remains in the state’s legal code and is infrequently enforced.
The global sex toy market continues to experience significant growth, with projections from Statista indicating an expansion from about $34 billion in 2021 to approximately $81 billion by 2030.
The proposed Texas bill could potentially affect this market trend within the state, particularly concerning sales through major chain stores.
