New California Labor Law Aimed at Safety in the Porn Industry

Sacramento, CACalifornia's Division of Occupational Safety and Health Standards (OSHS) Board is weighing a new California labor law that would require all male performers in pornographic material to use condoms.

span itemprop="image" itemscope itemtype="https://schema.org/ImageObject" style="display:block">The move stems from a petition from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which claims that the adult industry has failed to adequately ensure the health and safety of its performers - an issue that gained prominence after the AIDS breakout in the LA porn industry in 2004.

"The adult film industry has steadfastly refused to take any steps to protect its workers from diseases spread by blood borne pathogens, resulting in thousands of employees becoming infected with sexually transmitted diseases," writes Michael Weinstein, the foundation's president, in the petition. "Clarification and enhanced enforcement of the rules are called for."

The OSHS has stated that it would seriously consider amending section 5193 of the California labor code - a division related to workers who come into contact with blood or infectious materials - to give greater protection to employees of the adult film industry. Weinstein told XBIZ that the OSHS statement was a validation of his efforts.