LOS ANGELES, Feb. 19 (UPI) -- California health and safety officials rejected a proposal to require performers in pornographic films to wear condoms on set.
The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health board voted 3-2 Thursday against the proposal. It needed four votes to pass.
Many adult-film actors, writers, directors and producers opposed the new rules, fearing the porn industry would move out of the state -- or go underground to avoid regulation.
"I ask you not to approve this policy that will endanger me and my colleagues," actress Maxine Holloway told the board.
Industry officials said they conduct rigorous testing of their performers for STDs and HIV prior to film shoots.
The law had been backed primarily by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
"The industry had been complaining that the reason they were violating the regulations was because they didn't apply to them," said Adam Cohen with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "This will put on the books, officially, that the state of California sees adult film employees as deserving of worker health and safety protections."
