February 4, 2014 | The Biz

Third attempt to make condom use mandatory in California's porn industry

Say what you want about Assembly Member Isadore Hall III (pictured), he is nothing if not determined. He has reintroduced a bill that would mandate condom use by all adult film performers working in California. He also wants to make studios pay for a custodian of records, hepatitis B vaccinations and performers’ health testing.

This is the third such bill introduced by Hall. In the past year, two similar proposals died in committee.

According to the legislation, anyone “engaged in the production of an adult film adopt prescribed practices and procedures to protect employees [and independent contractors] from exposure to, and infection by, sexually transmitted diseases, including engineering and work practice controls, an exposure control plan, hepatitis B vaccinations, medical monitoring, and information and training on health and safety."

Companies also have to provide a written health-and-safety program for their productions, maintain compliance logs for these shoots and provide state-approved training programs for all employees. Condoms and lube must be present on all sets.

“This measure will further drive production out of state and create severe hardships for ancillary businesses,” said FSC (Free Speech Coalition) Chief Executive Officer Diane Duke. “Last year, we were able to defeat AB 332 and 640 by going to Sacramento to lobby. It made a big difference for legislators to see people show up to protest those bills. When we go there again, to fight AB 1576, we will really need the assistance of everyone in the industry. Our livelihood in California is at stake.”

New Calif. ‘Condoms in Porn’ Bill Adds Onerous Provisions [YNot]