The California State Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment is expected to release its report on worker health and safety in the adult film industry. The committee’s informational hearing was held June 4 in response to the recent HIV outbreak among adult performers.
Witnesses included medical professionals, First Amendment attorneys, STD prevention specialists, and adult performers. The report’s summary of their June 4 hearing is expected to include the following witness recommendations:
* No government involvement. Government regulation may drive the industry underground or out of state, leading to further health risks among performers.
* Modify workplace requirements to observe universal precautions in the adult film industry according to medical authorities who specialize in the transmission of bloodborne diseases.
* Require condom use for all high-risk sexual encounters.
* Screening requirements for sexually transmitted diseases set by the state with screening costs paid by the industry.
* Exemption from any testing or screening requirements those production companies that require the use of a condom during filming.
* Vaccinations for appropriate preventable conditions.
* Mandate education and training of all adult film industry performers to make them aware of the risks associated with the industry.
* Monitoring by state and local health departments to ensure compliance with any mandates or requirements.
* Industry encouragement of condom only policies.
* Require condoms for certain sexual activities.
* Require safe sex messages or disclaimers at the beginning of each adult video or DVD.
* Industry or government required "combination prevention" practices.
* Legislature and appropriate regulatory authorities to work cooperatively with the responsible institutions within the adult film industry to think creatively and increase incentives for condom use, testing and safer practices.
* Support the industry-initiated programs and systems that resulted in education and voluntary testing and disclosure.
Witnesses included Vicky Heza, Deputy Chief of Enforcement at Cal OSHA; Jonathan Fielding, Director of Public Health, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services; Free Speech Coalition Chair Jeffrey Douglas; AIM’s Dr. Sharon Mitchell; and performer Nina Hartley.
According to assembly chair Paul Kortetz's office, the report will be released when the budget is approved.
