Texas Sex Doll Laws
Texas Sex Doll laws
Lisa Cox
Radio Austin Texas
radioaustintexas.com
Overview
According to Section 43.23 of the Texas penal code, possessing six or more sex toys or “obscene devices” is presumed to indicate an intent to promote them, which is illegal. This law applies to items like dildos, vibrators, and other devices designed for sexual stimulation.
However, a US District Judge declared this law “facially unconstitutional and unenforceable” in 2008. Although it remains on the books, it is rarely enforced.
Regarding child-like sex dolls specifically: A new Texas law, H.B. 1443 (which takes effect September 1, 2025), criminalizes the promotion or possession of child-like sex dolls. Possessing two or more of these specific types of dolls is presumed to indicate an intent to promote them.
In summary, while the law on the books limits the number of general sex toys to six, it is rarely enforced due to being deemed unconstitutional. However, a specific law exists regarding child-like sex dolls, making their possession or promotion a criminal offense, with a two-doll limit triggering a presumption of intent to promote.
NEW LAW TO GO INTO EFFECT SEP 1, 2025
Introduced
11/21/2024In Committee
05/21/2025Crossed Over
05/10/2025Passed
06/20/2025DeadSigned/Enacted/Adopted
06/20/2025
Introduced Session
89th Legislature Regular Session
Bill Summary
AN ACT relating to creating the criminal offense of promotion or possession of a child-like sex doll.
AI Summary
This bill creates a new criminal offense in Texas related to child-like sex dolls, defining such dolls as anatomically correct and obscene representations of children intended for sexual stimulation. The bill establishes three levels of criminal offenses: promoting a child-like sex doll is a second-degree felony, possessing a child-like sex doll with intent to promote is a third-degree felony, and simply possessing a child-like sex doll is a state jail felony. The law includes a presumption that possession of two or more such dolls indicates an intent to promote them. Importantly, the bill provides an affirmative defense for law enforcement purposes, meaning that if the possession is part of a legitimate law enforcement investigation or operation, it would not be considered a criminal act. The law is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, and aims to criminalize the creation, possession, and distribution of objects that could potentially sexualize or exploit child-like representations, with escalating criminal penalties based on the specific nature of the offense.
Committee Categories
Justice
Sponsors (36)
Janis Holt (R)*, Phil King (R)*, Brent Money (R)*, Jared Patterson (R)*, Keresa Richardson (R)*, Nate Schatzline (R)*, Daniel Alders (R), Keith Bell (R), César Blanco (D), Brad Buckley (R), Ben Bumgarner (R), David Cook (R), Ryan Guillen (R), Kelly Hancock (R), Caroline Harris Davila (R), Richard Hayes (R), Cole Hefner (R), Hillary Hickland (R), Adam Hinojosa (R), Andy Hopper (R), Lacey Hull (R), Lois Kolkhorst (R), Terri Leo-Wilson (R), Shelley Luther (R), Don McLaughlin (R), John McQueeney (R), Mayes Middleton (R), Matt Morgan (R), Tan Parker (R), Katrina Pierson (R), Joanne Shofner (R), Shelby Slawson (R), Valoree Swanson (R), Ellen Troxclair (R), Cody Vasut (R), Wesley Virdell (R),
Last Action
Effective on 9/1/25 (on 06/20/2025)
Official Document
https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB1443
BillTrack*50* © 2011-2025
Last Updated 08/18/2025