from www.gazettes.com – There is a chance that the Los Angeles County Measure B, which sought to regulate the adult entertainment industry, might not apply to Long Beach.
The ballot provision, which city voters were able to vote on, might not apply to Long Beach because the city has its own Department of Health and Human Services. Measure B called for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health to regulate the industry — known for creating legal pornographic film. One of the biggest contentions of the regulations was that it requires widespread condom use. It also would require health permitting similar to that in restaurants.
The question about whether Long Beach is included in the measure’s ruling comes from a report by the Los Angeles County Counsel, which says that the requirement for a county permit could only apply to cities that do not maintain their own health departments — perhaps even to the point that only non-incorporated Los Angeles County would be included.
“The Department of Public Health is in the process of determining a regulatory approach to Measure B,” county health officials said in a statement. “Public Health will be working closely with the Los Angeles County CEO’s Office and County Counsel on issues regarding implementation, compliance and creation of an infrastructure that meet the requirements of the law.”
City officials said they don’t expect to be left out of Measure B and that they will be scheduling talks with county officials to make sure they are included in the conversation.
“The statement of Measure B is to create an enforcement mechanism with the County Health inspecting,” said Tom Modica, director of government affairs. “We believe this applies countywide and should be administered countywide.”
Modica noted that Long Beach voters specifically voted to implement Measure B with 53% in favor.
“There are certain things we do as a health department, but there are plenty of serviced LA County provides that we do not,” he added.
As far as adult filming in Long Beach, there has been very little, if any. It is legal for adult filming here — the producers would have to pull a film permit like any other production company doing business with the city.
That permit is treated the same as any other — the average permit is approximately $350 for the application and $500 a day for permit fees. Additional city services that are required can lead to additional costs.
“There has been almost nothing (from the adult entertainment industry),” Modica said. “In the last 10 years, we know of one commercial film permit for adult entertainment (that has been issued by the city).”