Over the past several weeks, the California State Assembly has voted in favor of advancing to the California Senate bills that would narrow the reach of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Senate bills did not fare as well and have died. Two of the CCPA amendment bills moving forward have the potential to greatly benefit businesses by providing exemptions for employee data and loyalty programs. These bills will become law if passed by the California Senate and ultimately signed by the governor.

As we have previously reported, California legislators have introduced numerous bills to amend the CCPA since it first passed. The “house of origin” deadline – the last day for each house to pass bills introduced in that house – was May 31, 2019. Most significantly, AB 25 proceeded forward, clarifying that the definition of a consumer does not include employees, and SB 561 died, ending (for now) the notion of an expanded private right of action. We will continue to monitor the bills that are proceeding. A summary of what has happened with CCPA amendment bills follows below. In addition, we note the status of several bills that are not CCPA amendments but address privacy issues.