BERLIN (AP) — German legislation designed to make life safer for sex workers, including making the use of a condom mandatory, has passed its final hurdle.

Germany's upper house of Parliament on Friday approved the law, which will come into force on July 1, 2017, said Manuela Schwesig, the minister for women and families.

Legislation in 2002 that legalized prostitution gave sex workers social benefits but led to the rapid growth of unregulated brothels, prompting calls for tighter controls.

The new legislation provides for stricter regulation of such establishments, and foresees regular confidential conversations with sex workers to help ensure enforcement.

Schwesig says many men and women sex workers have been "defenseless against the power of brothel owners" but the new law will "protect them from exploitation and violence."