Lawmaker proposes requiring condoms for porn actors in California
Following the lead of Los Angeles County, a state lawmaker is proposing to require that all actors in pornographic films made in California be required to wear condoms to protect them from exposure to AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases.
Assembly member Isadore Hall III (D-Compton) has scheduled a Valentine’s Day press conference for Thursday at the offices of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation to announce the introduction of legislation similar to the requirement approved by county voters in November.
“When it comes down to it, adult film actors are employees, like any other employee for any other business in the state,” Hall said Wednesday. “We have an obligation to ensure that all workers, regardless of the type of work, are protected from workplace hazards and injury. Condoms are a proven and effective way to prevent a number of sexually transmitted diseases.”
Like the county measure, the state legislation faces opposition from some in the pornography industry.
Last month, Vivid Entertainment, a leading producer of pornography, filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles seeking to overturn the county law on grounds that it violated 1st Amendment’s protection of free expression.
“There is no legislation or referendum vote that can trump expressive conduct, which is protected by the first amendment,’’ said Steven Hirsch, founder and co-chairman of Vivid Entertainment, on Wednesday.
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