Do your hiring managers ask job candidates for access to their social networking accounts? They may soon get in trouble if they do, because legislators are starting to jump on the regulatory bandwagon to bar the practice.

California, which usually leads the way in this kind of lawmaking, is in the process of passing a bill that would prevent employers from demanding job applicants’ passwords for accounts on Facebook or other social networking sites.

The bill passed the state assembly without a dissenting vote and now heads to the state Senate. Similar federal legislation was introduced this week in the U.S. Congress.

The practice of demanding access to social networking accounts appears to be fairly common. The National Labor Relations Board reports it currently has 129 cases about the practice.

Warn your HR folks that there’s trouble brewing for anyone who uses this method of sleuthing. At the very least, it could damage your company brand. Worst case: a lawsuit from job applicants.

Tags: California, Facebook social netowrking, legislation, passwords