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California Attorney General Xavier Becerra and Senator Hannah-Beth Jackson are proposing a bill to clarify and strengthen the state’s privacy protection law.

On Tuesday, Becerra and Jackson said SB 561 will help improve the enforcement of the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA) of 2018.

The legislation will remove a provision requiring the Office of the Attorney General to provide, at taxpayers’ expense, businesses and private parties with individual legal counsel on CCPA compliance. It also eliminates a language allowing companies to correct their CCPA violations within 30 days before enforcement. The legislation will add a private right of action and allows consumers the opportunity to pursue legal actions under the law.

SB 561 will ensure a level playing field for businesses that play by the rules. It will provide consumers the ability to put into effect their new rights under the CCPA in court.

Ensuring the robust enforcement of California’s privacy protection law

In a statement, Becerra said, “California, the nation’s hub for innovation, has long led the way to protect consumers in the digital age. And as we work to strengthen data privacy law, the world is watching. It’s essential that we get this right.”

“We thank Senator Jackson for her commitment to data privacy and for introducing SB 561, a critical measure to strengthen and clarify the CCPA. We will continue to work together to protect all Californians and their constitutional right to privacy,” he added.

On the other hand, Jackson said, “Our constitutional right to privacy continues to face unprecedented assault. Our locations, relationships, and interests are being tracked, bought and sold by corporate interests for their own economic gain and in order to manipulate us.”

In addition, the state senator stressed, “With the passage of the California Consumer Privacy Act last year, California took an important first step in protecting our fundamental right to privacy. SB 561 will ensure that the most significant privacy protections in the nation are robustly enforced.”

The toughest privacy protection law in the U.S.

Former Governor Jerry Brown signed CCPA into law on June 28 last year. The law will become effective on January 1, 2020. It is toughest and most far-reaching privacy protection law in the country. It requires companies to:

• disclose the types of personal information it collects from consumers
• reveal the sources from which those information are collection
• disclose the purposes for collecting and selling the information
• reveal the categories of third parties with whom the information is shared

Additionally, the CCPA grants consumers the right to request a company to delete their personal information. Upon receipt of a verified request, the company must delete their information.

Furthermore, the privacy protection law gives consumers the right to opt out of the sale of their personal information. It prohibits companies from selling the personal information of consumers below 16 years of age.  It prohibits companies from charging more money or reducing the services to consumers if they decide not to allow them sell their data.