Assembly panel approves requiring condoms for adult film actors
A measure requiring adult film actors to use condoms while working in California was approved by a state Assembly committee on Tuesday despite opposition from several people in the industry.
The measure by Assemblyman Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) is modeled after Measure B, approved last year by Los Angeles County voters.
“This is a workplace safety bill. We have an obligation to protect our workforce,” Hall told the Assembly Committee on Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism and Internet Media before it approved the bill on a 4-1 vote.
Adult film actress Alana Evans opposed the measure, telling the lawmakers the industry already requires HIV testing and bars those who test positive. Evans said she is worried that testing will be dropped and that condoms are not guaranteed to protect those who use them.
“AB 332 will endanger my health,” Evans told the committee.
A film director warned the legislators that the condom law would drive the adult film business out of the state.
“We will leave California,” he warned. “We are being actively courted by the state of Nevada which wants those jobs.’’
Rand Martin, a lobbyist for AIDS Healthcare Foundation, disputed the potential economic impact, saying Los Angeles County continues to issue permits for adult films on a daily basis since Measure B was approved.
“It has not had any material impact,’’ Martin said. The measure still needs to be approved by the full Assembly and Senate before it can be signed into law.
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