YNOT – Trade association Free Speech Coalition is stepping in to fill some of the gap created by the permanent closure of adult industry health services provider AIM Medical Associates PC. AIM confirmed last week that “financial hardship” forced the shuttering of the industry’s first and primary provider of the monthly health screenings performers must undergo before working for most content producers. The organization had been in operation since 1998 as Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation.

According to FSC Executive Director Diane Duke, the association’s plan resulted from recent conversations with producers, agents and performers after AIM closed. During an emergency meeting, the FSC’s board of directors voted to support the creation of Adult Performers Health and Safety Services. Although specifics have yet to be finalized, Duke said APHSS “will focus on performer health and safety and coordinate health protocols and services for adult productions.”

Among the goals of the new entity will be:

• Selection of high quality, industry friendly and affordable testing and treatment facilities for adult performers.
• Provision of a secure database offering information to performers and producers about performer availability based on industry protocol.
• Provision of resources that will enable producers to comply with workplace safety procedures.
• Performer training about prevention and treatment of sexually transmitted infections.
• Creation of a six-person advisory board to assist with adult production health and safety policy and oversight. The board will consist of three performers, one attorney, one sexual health expert and one producer.
• Coordination of industry practices and protocols concerning health and safety for adult productions.

FSC plans to host an open meeting of producers, directors, performers and agents this week, in order to discuss APHSS details and reveal an expected launch date.