Retail stores in California will have to change the way they display toys and other products for children if one state lawmaker gets what he wants. Democratic Assemblyman Evan Low's new bill would make it illegal for larger stores with at least 500 employees to separate toys, clothing, and childcare products by gender. That would mean eliminating aisles exclusive to boys and those for girls in favor of a gender neutral section for those items.
It was the 9-year-old daughter of one Low's staff members who came up with this idea, according to the Sacramento Bee. The little girl reportedly told the assemblymember she didn't like the way boy and girls products were separated at the store and encouraged him to make it against the law.
The proposed legislation includes a provision for fines of $1,000 to punish stores which are found not to be in compliance.