Labor Code Section 1174(d) sets forth California's payroll record-keeping requirements. At present, the current law reads:

"Keep, at a central location in the state or at the plants or establishments at which employees are employed, payroll records showing the [...]

S.B. 459 adds Labor Code §226.8 which increases the civil penalties for the willful (voluntary and knowing) misclassification of independent contractors.

Effective January 1, 2012, an employer who has willfully misclassified an employee as an independent contractor may be fined a minimum of $5,000 and up to $15,000 [...]

Effective January 1, 2012, AB 469 known as the Wage Theft Protection Act of 2011 adds Labor Code §2810.5. Under the new law, California employers must provide each overtime eligible employee at the time of their hire with a written notice (in the language used to communicate in the workplace) that specifies all of the following:

1. the rate or rates of pay and the basis thereof, whether paid by the hour, shift, day, week, salary, piece, commission or otherwise, including any rates for overtime, as applicable;
2. allowances, [...]

Effective January 1, 2012, Labor Code section §1024.5 prohibits most California employers from obtaining a consumer credit report on a job applicant and/or employee, except in very limited circumstances. Beginning January 1, 2012, California employers may only obtain, or request, a consumer credit report on an employee, or prospective employee, if the employee falls into one of six categories, including:

1. An employee that qualifies for the "executive" overtime pay exemption;
2. An employee who the law otherwise requires [...]