Legislation banning importing, ownership, and sales of sex dolls that resemble children 12 years and younger passed out of committee this week.
Bill author, Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, explains authorities contacted her about trafficking after intercepting a package with a label describing it as a mannequin.
“It was what appeared to be like a 12-month-old child but very realistic. And with all the parts there for sexual gratification basically. And it was addressed to someone in Metairie.”
While nine other states already have laws banning the sex dolls, Mizell says such legislation does not exist in Louisiana.
“They haven’t arrested anybody because we don’t have a law that allows them to go out on a call for this to arrest anybody.”
Mizell says some companies create dolls based in the likeness of real children.
“The concern is the sexualization of children. The growth of what could be another way for people to be groomed for sexual exploitation by the use of these dolls.”