Will Mandatory Condom Use Become Law?

SACRAMENTO — Condom use in porn may become California law if health officials agree with an AIDS Healthcare Foundation petition.

The petition was filed with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, or Cal/OSHA, last December.

The petition claims the adult industry “refused to take any steps to protect its workers from disease spread by blood borne pathogens” and wants the state to amend California labor code to “clarify required protections for adult workers in the film industry.”

Board staff at Cal/OSHA has recommended the creation of an advisory committee to consider amending section 5193 of the California labor code “in order to give greater protection to employees in the adult film industry.”

Cal/OSHA standards board will decide whether or not to create the advisory committee at 10 a.m. March 18 at the Costa Mesa City Council Chambers located at 77 Fair Drive in Costa Mesa.

The board also stated that serious consideration should be given to the possible amendment of section 5193 in order to give greater protection to employees in the adult film industry.

“I think it’s a game changer. We’re getting validation from an official state agency that the supposed protections offered are inadequate and the opportunity for new regulations, which we have said, is needed,” Michael Weinstein, president of the Los Angeles- based AIDS Healthcare Foundation, told XBIZ.

Section 5193 applies to all workplaces where there is occupational exposure to blood or other potentially infectious materials.