A PROPOSED law seeks to ban sex toys from retail stores such as Target and Walmart.
One newly-elected legislator wants to introduce the ruling limiting sales to erotic businesses, such as strip clubs and sex shops. Sex Toys For Females
The new legislation is being proposed in Texas after a previous law limiting sales of sex toys to six items at a time was branded "unconstitutional."
Republican State Representative Hillary Hickland, who was elected in November to represent Texas' District 55, north of Austin, and will be sworn in on January 14, pre-filed a bill placing "restrictions on the sale of obscene devices."
The bill, HB 1549, will limit sales of such devices, including vibrators, to "sexually-oriented businesses," such as sex shops and strip clubs.
Speaking in support of the bill, Hickland said the move was being done to protect children from exposure to such items.
"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 said.
The bill would affect major stores that currently sell sex toys, including CVS, Target, and Walmart.
"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 went on.
Hickland shared photos on social media of sex toys she found for sale at their local stores.
The Lone Star State has a history when it comes to limiting or even banning sex toys.
In 1973, state legislators passed a law banning the sale of sex toys anywhere in Texas.
This was updated and softened in 2003 to allow their sale but making it a crime to own six or more devices.
But in 2008, this law was declared unconstitutional and revoked.
The new ban will go into effect immediately if it receives a two-thirds majority of the vote.
If it passes but with less than a super majority, the law will take effect on September 1, 2025.
Under the law, regular stores caught selling sex toys face punishing fines of up to $5,000 for each violation.
What is Texas' proposed HB 1549, restricting sex toy sales in the Lone Star State?
Critics have slammed the proposed law as a disproportionate response.
"This is such a grotesque display of misplaced priorities that it is disheartening," Democratic Texas State Senator Nathan Johnson told the Dallas Observer.
"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."
Even critics within the Republican party have come forward to slam Hickland's early legislative move.
Last month, under a tweet from Hickland pushing for the law, newly-elected Republican District Attorney Sarah Stogner, who serves in a West Texas district, responded on X.
"I see you're still obsessed with dildos. Perhaps you should buy one and try it. Might make you less uptight," she wrote.
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