In California, gender-neutral toy aisles are officially legal

A new state law requires major retailers in California to have gender-neutral toy aisles.

The law, which took effect on Monday, is the result of a 2021 bill in the California legislature requiring toy retailers with a physical location in the state and at least 500 employees "to maintain a gender-neutral section or area to be labeled at the discretion of the retailer."

California Assemblymember Evan Low stated that an 8-year-old girl inspired him to introduce this bill, asking, "Why should a store tell me what a girl's shirt or toy is?"

"Her legislation will allow children to express themselves freely and without bias." "We need to let kids be kids," said Low.

Failure to comply with the new law could result in a $250 fine for the first violation and up to $500 for subsequent infractions, according to the bill text.