New Texas Bill Aims to Ban Sale of Sex Toys at Major Retailers

AUSTIN, TX — A proposed bill in Texas could ban the sale of sex toys at major retailers such as Walmart and Target, restricting their availability to sex-oriented businesses. Violators could face fines of up to $5,000.

The legislation, H.B. 1549, was introduced by newly elected Republican Rep. Hillary Hickland of Temple ahead of the 2025 legislative session. Hickland called sex toys “obscene devices” and said the bill aims to protect children from exposure to sexually provocative content in public spaces.

“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,” stated Republican Christin Bentley, a supporter of the bill, on social media.

If approved by two-thirds of the Texas House, the bill would take effect immediately. Otherwise, it could become law on Sept. 1, 2025.

Hickland, who won endorsements from President-elect Donald Trump, Sen. Ted Cruz, and Gov. Greg Abbott, listed legislative priorities including border security, banning taxpayer-funded lobbying, and limiting children’s access to social media. She previously made headlines in 2022 for advocating to banning books in Belton ISD libraries.