(Texas Scorecard) – A coalition of more than 100 Texas leaders, organizations, and citizens is urging lawmakers to take action on legislation aimed at shielding children from sexually explicit products in public retail environments.
In a letter sent to State Rep. Angie Chen Button (R-Garland), chair of the House Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development, the coalition called for a hearing on House Bill 1549, known as the Retail Decency Act. The bill, authored by State Rep. Hillary Hickland (R-Belton), seeks to establish boundaries on how and where obscene devices and related paraphernalia are marketed and displayed.
Specifically, the legislation states that businesses “may not sell, offer for sale, or hold for sale an obscene device, unless the business is a sexually oriented business.”
“We believe HB 1549 is essential to upholding community standards, protecting children from premature exposure to adult content, and affirming the rights of parents to shield their families from overtly sexualized material in public retail spaces,” the letter reads.
The coalition warns that some stores have begun openly displaying adult-themed items near products intended for children—such as toothbrushes, candy, and stuffed animals—or advertising them with bright colors and cartoon imagery. In some cases, obscene devices have been promoted on delivery trucks driving through major cities.
“The practice of displaying obscene devices in front of children is not only inappropriate—it is dangerous,” the letter states. “By normalizing explicit material in everyday environments, society creates a pathway that conditions children to view sexual paraphernalia as commonplace, eroding natural boundaries and confusing age-appropriate understandings of sexuality.”
Christin Bentley, who chairs the Texas GOP’s “Stop Sexualizing Texas Kids” subcommittee, emphasized that the bill is not a ban on adult products.
“It’s about common-sense safeguards to prevent the targeting of minors with adult content in everyday family environments,” she said.
The letter cites research linking early exposure to sexual content with increased risk of exploitation and higher rates of sexual aggression among youth, and argues that the Retail Decency Act offers a “reasonable and necessary solution” to a growing cultural and public health concern.
Signatories include the Dallas County Republican Party, Texas Eagle Forum, Texas Family Project, Protecting Texas Children, and dozens of grassroots activists and Republican precinct chairs across the state.
“Time is running out,” the letter concludes. “Please schedule The Retail Decency Act for a hearing … to allow the public an opportunity to voice their concerns and support a measure that defends the innocence and safety of Texas children.”
As of publishing, Button has not responded to a request for comment.