In a bill introduced by newly-elected Republican Rep. Hillary Hickland, she calls the devices “obscene” and wants a law limiting where they’re sold.
AUSTIN, Texas — It will be tougher to buy sex toys in Texas if one lawmaker has her way.
Incoming freshman legislator Hillary Hickland, a Republican who represents Temple in Central Texas, is hoping her pre-filed bill becomes law.
Hickland introduced H.B. 1549 which calls for “restrictions on the sale of obscene devices” in advance of the 2025 legislative session.
Sex toys, including vibrators, are currently sold by Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and other major retailers.
Hickland wants to limit sales to sex-oriented businesses only. If her bill passes, other retailers could be fined up to $5,000 for each violation.
Hickland can count on a “yes” vote from fellow Republican Christin Bentley who shared a copy of the bill on X.
“Whether it’s porn in their libraries, sexually charged performances in a neighborhood restaurant, or sexually oriented devices on the shelves of the [family friendly] market, children are increasingly confronted with sexually provocative content in public spaces designated for their use,” Bentley wrote. “The state has a compelling interest to protect children from sexualization, as it leads to their exploitation and is critical to both their safety and natural development.”
The law would take effect immediately if it is approved by two-thirds of Texas House members. If it’s approved by a lesser margin, it would become law on Sept. 1, 2025.
A Texas law that passed in 1973 and was updated in 2003 bans the ownership of six or more sex toys. Federal courts called it unconstitutional in 2008 but it remained on the books. The law is rarely if ever enforced.
According to Statista, the global market for sex toys is expected to grow from about $34 billion in 2021 to a whopping $81 billion by 2030.
Hickland is a conservative who won the endorsement of President-elect Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz and Gov. Greg Abbott.
On her website, she lists other legislative priorities.
- Securing the border and stopping fentanyl flow
- Banning taxpayer-funded lobbying
- Supporting parents’ rights in education
- Lowering property taxes
- Protecting the unborn
- Limiting children’s access to social media
- Preventing cities from defunding police
The “former PTA vice president” has never held public office before.
She also made headlines in 2022 when she spoke out in favor of banning some books in Belton ISD libraries after a school librarian went viral for her post opposing the bans.