State May Force Adult Film Actors to Use Protection

The state plans to force adult film producers, many of which are based in Chatsworth, to require condom use in adult films as an added safety measure against the spread of STDs including HIV/AIDS.

The new amendment to California’s Bloodborne Pathogen statute will be debated and then voted on at the Cal/OSHA June 7 meeting in Los Angeles. If passed, the new regulation would be the first of its type.

The adult film industry is expected to vigorously fight any new rules as films featuring condom use have historically sold far fewer copies.

“This is the first time the public has heard of Cal/OSHA’s plans to draft and introduce what AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) sees are much-needed safety amendments to California’s Bloodborne Pathogens statute in order to better protect workers and performers in the adult film industry,” said Michael Weinstein, president of AHF, in a statement.

This push for new regulations comes in the wake of a recent HIV scare within the adult industry with the that one infected male performer had been working in both heterosexual and homosexual themed films. 

The AHF has been an outspoken opponent of what they see as unsafe industry practices, fighting to shut down production on all films not featuring safer sex practices. In August of 2009 the group filed workplace safety complaints against Larry Flynt Productions followed by a similar complaint against Vivid Video, targeting these companies because of their strong stance against condom use.