Texas Bill Would Bar Under-21s From Work at Sexually Oriented Businesses

Texas Bill Would Bar Under-21s From Work at Sexually Oriented Businesses

GALVESTON, Texas — A bill has been introduced in Texas that would raise to 21 the minimum age to work at sexually oriented businesses.

The piece of legislation, which was recently introduced, would effectively restrict employment opportunities for those ages 18-20 and make it illegal for employers to hire them. Currently, the minimum age to work at sexually oriented businesses in Texas is 18.

The author of SB 1866, Sen. Larry Taylor of Galveston, did not respond to XBIZ for comment by post time over his exact intentions with the bill.

However, industry attorney Larry Walters of Walters Law Group told XBIZ that he believes preventing young adults from working in a sexually oriented business violates their First Amendment rights. 

“When Georgia passed a similar law banning adult business patrons under 21, it was struck down on First Amendment grounds by the Georgia Supreme Court,” said Walters, citing State v. Cafe Erotica Inc., 269 Ga. 486, 500 S.E.2d 574 (1998).

“The state does not have a compelling interest in restricting the employment opportunity of 18-20-year-olds, particularly when the employment involves free expression,” he said.

“While the U.S. Supreme Court has not spoken on the issue, it appears that a governmental attempt to prevent adults from participating in First Amendment protected performances would be unconstitutional.”

Eric Paul Leue, the Free Speech Coalition's executive director, said the adult trade group is currently evaluating the Texas bill “and other disturbing legislation being enacted countrywide that would limit the production and distribution of legally protected speech.”

“Adult entertainment is and should be produced by and for adults, but we object to moralists attempting to restrict what legal jobs adults can take, what products they can purchase or the type of speech they can make,” Leue told XBIZ. “Why is a state so publicly dedicated to limiting government so eager to take away the right of consenting adults to make decisions about their lives, livelihoods and bodies? How would such a law be used to harass and criminalize and already marginalized workforce?

“We would not be surprised to see this law used to silence and harass not only adult performers and producers, but also LGTBQ organizations, sexual education programs and sexual health services.”

“Sexually oriented businesses,” as defined by Texas lawmakers, includes “a sex parlor, nude studio, modeling studio, love parlor, adult bookstore, adult movie theater, adult video arcade, adult movie arcade, adult video store, adult motel or other commercial enterprise the primary business of which is the offering of a service or the selling, renting or exhibiting of devices or any other items intended to provide sexual stimulation or sexual gratification to the customer.”

The definition of sexually oriented businesses also includes adult entertainment conventions, including the one Exxxotica attempted to hold in Dallas last May.

The city of Dallas, which operates the municipal convention center, shut out the exhibitors, claiming actions of lewdness at a previously held event and that Exxxotica was unlicensed as a sexually oriented business.

Shutting out the adult show prompted Exxxotica’s parent company, Three Expo Events, to file a lawsuit for damages. To date, that suit continues at federal court in Dallas.

View bill

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Texas Resumes AV Lawsuit Against Aylo Following SCOTUS Decision

A district court judge in Texas has unfrozen the state’s $1.6 million lawsuit against Aylo for allegedly failing to comply with age verification requirements, Bloomberg Law is reporting.

Nadia Jay Stars in Latest From Brazzers

Nadia Jay stars with Mick Blue in the latest release from Brazzers, titled "Fucking the Bath Voyeur."

Blush Introduces 'Splash' Vibe

Blush has debuted its new duck-themed Splash vibrator.

SVibe Debuts 2 New Vibrators

SVibe has introduced two new vibrators.

Tommy Gunn Reflects on His Legendary Past as He Looks to the Future

Tommy Gunn is wearing an eyepatch. It’s not an homage to the classic "Pirates" porn parody franchise, in which Gunn takes on the Johnny Depp role. The eyepatch is a temporary measure to help him deal with a nerve palsy that came out of nowhere several years ago and affects his vision from time to time. Gunn needs his vision. As one of the adult industry’s longest-serving male stars, he still has plenty to look forward to.

Rocco Siffredi Directs New Rebel Rhyder Showcase

Evil Angel has released Rocco Siffredi’s Rebel Rhyder showcase title, "Rebel Meets Rebel."

JuicyAds Wins Trademark Infringement Case Against Fraudulent Domain

JuicyAds has won its World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) case against a website using a similar domain to impersonate the company's site and defraud customers.

Shalina Devine Toplines 'Thr3e #7' From Dorcel

Shalina Devine headlines the latest release from Dorcel, titled "Thr3e #7."

Chloe Amour Headlines 'Unfaithful Betrayal 3' From Bellesa Films

Chloe Amour toplines the third volume of “Unfaithful Betrayal” from Bellesa Films.

ProDx Health Introduces 'Power Femme' Test

ProDx Health has introduced its new Power Femme Home Collection Kit.

Show More