California Considers Condoms for Porn Actors

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Condoms could be coming to porn studios across California if the state agency in charge of enforcing workplace safety adopts proposed new regulations aimed at protecting adult film actors.

The state Division of Occupational Safety and Health is scheduled to vote on the regulations following a hearing Thursday in Oakland.

Regulations would require so-called "engineering controls" — such as condoms — be used when actors engage in sex.

That's to protect them from HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which has pushed for years for such restrictions, says they are overdue.

Porn industry officials say the regulations go too far and could result in actors having to wear not only condoms but also safety goggles.

Both sides plan to address the hearing.

(Story by: John Rogers, The Associated Press)