The California Assembly approved on Tuesday a bill that would require porn stars to use condoms when shooting sex scenes despite worries that the legislation would drive the lucrative adult entertainment business out of the state.

Forty-eight lawmakers voted for the bill, 13 were against and 19 abstained from voting.

Isadore Hall (D-Compton), the author of the bill, insisted the proposed law seeks to provide workplace safety to X-rated actors and actresses. A few months ago, the $6-billion industry temporarily stopped filming when several performers tested positive for HIV.

Hall explained, "Whether you work in agriculture, manufacturing, health care, food service or any other industry, all workers deserve a safe workplace to make a living."

Besides the mandatory use of condoms, the bill which will be tackled by the State Senate, also requires porn studios to make available regular testing for sexually transmitted infections and diseases.

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which sponsored the bill, warned that adult film actors have 10 times higher chances of contracting sexually transmitted diseases because of the nature of their work.

But the Free Speech Coalition, which represents the porn industry, said the proposed law is a morality crusade which aims to drive out of California a legal business.

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