SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Free Speech Coalition charged Wednesday that the author of AB 332, which would mandate barrier protection for performers statewide, has cemented a relationship with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation and likely won't work with the adult entertainment industry to come up with alternatives to the bill's existing language.
"It was telling that [Assemblyman Isadore] Hall kept pressing AB 332 as a workplace issue yet showed no interest in listening to performers and other professionals who actually work in the industry," FSC CEO Diane Duke told XBIZ on Wednesday.
"We suggested that Hall set aside his bill and instead start at the beginning, working side by side with producers, performers and other adult professionals to create industry appropriate regulations that would benefit performers and not dismantle the industry," she said.
"Hall categorically refused, instead preferring to create bad law in a vacuum," she said, noting that it is "clear that Hall has aligned himself with AIDS Healthcare Foundation in that he was flanked by AHF representatives."
AB 332 moved forward in the Legislature yesterday after a California Assembly panel voted 5-1 in favor of it.
The bill, which mirrors Measure B making condoms mandatory for porn shoots in Los Angeles County, now moves to the Labor and Employment Committee for further action in the next few weeks
"Pending approval by the Labor Committee, the bill will be referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee, then, pending its approval, will be voted on by the full Assembly," Hall press secretary Terry Schanz told XBIZ. "Pending approval by the full Assembly, the bill will be referred to the Senate and go through a similar policy and fiscal review process."