California Regulators Can Immediately Enforce New Data Privacy Regulations: What PEOs Need to Know

California regulators can now enforce new data privacy regulations, impacting the PEO community. The recent decision from a state appeals court has accelerated compliance with the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), catching many employers off guard. This news is particularly important for PEOs, as they are at a higher risk due to the sheer number of worksite employees they support.

The new regulations, which took effect in March 2023, provide consumers with additional data privacy rights, including worksite employees in California. Despite the grace period for enforcement until July 1, 2023, a recent appellate court decision allows regulators to immediately enforce the regulations.

PEOs are now in the crosshairs of data privacy regulators due to the large number of worksite employees they manage. This puts them at a higher risk compared to most employers. To prepare for this new era of enforcement and exposure, PEOs are advised to implement a worksite employee privacy policy and conduct a gap assessment of their data privacy practices.

Fisher Phillips has created a seven-step compliance plan to help covered businesses navigate these new regulations. PEOs are urged to update their privacy policies to ensure compliance with the CCPA and protect themselves from potential scrutiny by regulators or plaintiffs’ attorneys.

In conclusion, PEOs must act quickly to update their privacy policies and stay compliant with the evolving data privacy laws. Failure to do so could result in legal consequences and reputational damage. Stay informed and take proactive steps to protect your organization in this new era of data privacy regulations.