Even as the adult video industry is fighting L.A. county's mandatory condoms-in-porn rule, a similar law that would cover the business statewide is one step closer to becoming law.

The bill by Compton state assemblyman Isadore Hall passed the lower house's Arts, Entertainment, Sports, Tourism, And Internet Media Committee today:

The vote was 5-1, Hall's office told us. Hall took to Twitter to thank supporters who weighed in on the debate:

The part of the bill, which is supported by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, that pisses off the industry is this: It would require …

…. use of condoms and other protective barriers whenever acts of vaginal and anal intercourse are filmed.

The industry argues that its monthly testing of performers works, that consumers won't buy condom porn, and that such a law will force production out-of-state and underground, where performers would see fewer protections.

Credit: Pornfolk by Nate 'Igor' Smith

Credit: Pornfolk by Nate 'Igor' Smith

Vivid Entertainment also argues in a suit against the county's condom law, Measure B, that such a rule constitutes prior restraint on free speech, which is often discouraged by courts looking to protect the first amendment.

The suit says these laws have no right to tell porn how to express itself (e.g. with condoms in the picture).

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which also spearheaded the county law, says adult performers have the right to be protected just like construction workers, and that federal law prohibits the transmission of blood-borne pathogens at the workplace.

Of course, there are gray areas (look at mixed martial arts for example).

We'll be watching.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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