SACRAMENTO, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Legislation by Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III (D – Los Angeles) to require condoms or other personal protective equipment in California produced adult films and mandatory employer paid STD testing of adult film actors was approved today by the California State Assembly. AB 1576 passed with bipartisan support on a vote of 47 to 15.
The adult film industry, given the type of work required, disproportionately exposes actors, and particularly women, to a range of health and safety risks. The industry has been largely self-regulated and has done an inadequate job of protecting its employees from disease infection.
According to the Los Angeles Department of Public Health, workers in adult films are at least seven times more likely to be infected with a sexually transmitted disease (STD), such as HIV, than the population at large. In 2013, there were five documented HIV transmissions of adult film actors, leading to three separate self-imposed yet unenforced production moratoriums and a revised voluntary STD testing protocol.
AB 1576 builds upon the adult film industry’s own current best practices by requiring a minimum 14 day employer paid testing protocol and use of a condom or barrier device in the production of adult film. Contrary to some in the industry’s flaccid arguments in opposition, many California production companies have already adopted a condom-only policy and have remained successful and profitable businesses. AB 1576 would provide statewide uniformity to ensure that all actors in this industry are protected while working.
“Today’s passage of AB 1576 was a strong reaffirmation of the California Legislature’s commitment to protect workers in the state, regardless of the type of work performed,” said Assemblymember Isadore Hall, III. “For too long, the adult film industry has thrived on a business model that exploits its workers and puts profit over workplace safety. The fact is, adult film actors are employees, like any other employee for any other business in the state. A minimum level of safety in the workplace should not have to be negotiated.”
“We need to begin to treat the adult film industry just like any other legitimate, legal business in California,” continued Hall. “Legitimate businesses protect their employees from injury in the workplace. This legitimate, legal business should be treated no differently. Whether you work in agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, food service, public safety or any other industry, all workers deserve a safe place to make a living.”
AB 1576 now heads to the State Senate for further action.
Isadore Hall, III, represents California’s 64th Assembly District that includes the communities of Carson, Compton, Gardena, Harbor Gateway, Lynwood,
North Long Beach, Rancho Dominguez, South Los Angeles, Torrance, Watts/Willowbrook and Wilmington in Los Angeles County.
