Democratic Assemblyman Isadore Hall is attempting to revive his bill that would require condoms be used in adult films shot in California. The original bill stalled earlier this year, but Hall has used the gut-and-amend process to bring it back in the final week of session. He said the recent cases of HIV among adult film stars add urgency to the measure.
“This is a dire issue,” Hall said. “We were brought here to help change the culture of California, to make families safer, protect workers’ rights. And we are doing just the opposite by not acting on this bill.”
The state’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health found nearly 1,900 performers tested positive for a sexually tested disease between 2004 and 2008. 70 percent were women.
However, the adult film industry maintains it has strict safety standards and says this bill infringes on its freedom of speech. The industry is fighting a similar measure from Los Angeles County in court.