Texas Representative Hillary Hickland filed House Bill 1549, the “Retail Decency Act,” which aims to prevent retailers from marketing sexually explicit or obscene materials to minors.
State Representative Angie Chen Button (R-Richardson) chairs the House Committee on Trade, Workforce, and Economic Development. A coalition of grassroots organizations and politicians interested in the protection of children wrote a letter encouraging Chairwoman Button to schedule a committee hearing for HB 1549. Protecting Texas Children was proud to join the coalition.
The letter explains that this legislation is critical to protect the innocence and well-being of Texas children by “ensuring that sexually explicit products are not displayed or marketed in ways that are accessible to minors.”
PTC fully agrees with and supports this legislation. Parents have the right to protect their families from sexualized materials in public spaces, and this bill affirms that right.
This legislation is necessary because there is documented evidence that stores are marketing explicit material in ways that attract children, with cartoons and bright colors, near children’s toys, candy, and stuffed animals. Some stores market sexual materials on buses in big cities.
This type of marketing could be viewed as grooming because it desensitizes children to sexual materials. A study referenced in the letter showed that early exposure to sexual materials causes increased risk for exploitation and increased sexual aggression in children.
Representative Button has yet to respond to the request for a hearing on this legislation. Protecting Texas Children believes this bill is vital to protecting children’s innocence and is proud to sign the letter and join the coalition in support.
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