CA SB638

Amends Labor Code Section 980 to expand the definition of "social media" to include electronic platforms, chat rooms, and bulletin boards, in addition to existing categories like videos, photos, blogs, and email.

Prohibits employers from requiring or requesting employees or job applicants to disclose usernames, passwords, or personal social media accounts, or from accessing personal social media in the employer's presence.

Prohibits employers from discharging, disciplining, threatening, or retaliating against employees or applicants who refuse to comply with requests that violate these protections.

Maintains an exception allowing employers to request disclosure of personal social media that is reasonably believed relevant to investigations of employee misconduct or legal violations, limited to use in that investigation or related proceedings.

Does not restrict employer rights to require disclosure of usernames or passwords for employer-issued devices or accounts.