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California Right to Financial Privacy Act
The California Right to Financial Privacy Act is the California version of the U.S. Federal Right to Financial Privacy Act, but was two years before the federal government passed an act of the same name in 1976. The act regulated the state's government agencies' abilities to access nonpublic consumer information. As a result of the act, California's government agencies are not authorized to access financial records unless the consumer gives consent or if a subpoena or a search warrant is issued for the information.
As long as government agencies show proof of customer consent, a subpoena, or a search warrant, financial institutions are obligated to disclose the requested financial information. With proof, financial institutions do not have to verify that all laws were followed before handing over information.
