The proposed law that would require condoms in porn throughout California passed a key committee in Sacramento last night.

The state Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment said yes 5-0 in favor of requiring prophylactics for performers in adult video:

So said L.A. area Assemblyman Isadore Hall, who proposed the legislation.

The bill almost seemed to stall as it failed to gain enough votes for passage (two lawmakers who were absent apparently phoned in their yes votes last-minute), prompting Adult Video News to express hope that “AB 332 Faces Death in Committee.”

Nope.

What's the damage? The committee could have killed the bill. But now that it seems to be on its way to the full assembly (it has to get through the Appropriations Committee next), it could pass.

And if that happens, it could make the industry put up or shut up regarding its threats to leave California over condoms.

Already, L.A. county voters in November approved such a rule, prompting a dive in porn-shoot permits locally and a reported hush-hush exodus to Ventura County.

A statewide law would mean there's nowhere to hide from condoms. Adult video's titans say consumers won't buy condom porn and that its monthly testing protocol for performers is safe enough.

Credit: Porn's Jessie Andrews via Nate 'Igor' Smith for LA Weekly.

Credit: Porn's Jessie Andrews via Nate 'Igor' Smith for LA Weekly.

Meanwhile: The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which has spearheaded the condoms-in-porn campaign, sounded triumphant. Its senior director of public health, Whitney Engeran-Cordova, said in a statement sent to the Weekly last night:

To date, the industry has not been able to persuade anyone but themselves that the industry should be able to profit on their performers' work without providing basic protection. We thank the Labor Committee for its swift and favorable action on this bill today.

It's not really clear what other states would accept this San Fernando Valley-based industry: California is one of few that says it's okay to pay people to have sex, so long as its for art's sake.

While Nevada, a frequent stop for the business, has legalized prostitution in some parts, it doesn't necessarily have legalized porn. Florida is another adult biz hot spot whose laws don't explicitly allow it.

In any case, you know we'll be watching.

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

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