Local codes are based on the NEC, for example town XYZ has adopted (made into law) NEC code YYYY.
The NEC does get revised periodically, 2002 the most recent.
Grounding and bonding have been revised in the last few years. In summary, the service entrance has to have a ground rod installed, and this is bonded to the electrical system at one and only place at the main box, this is the grounded conductor aka neutral.
Additional #6 bonding wires are required from the main panel over to where the water service enters, if you have metal service. Furthermore large metal objects, like a cast iron tub, need to be bonded to everything else, if metal piping doesn't do it already.
The idea is to bond all the items together into a single unified circuit, which is grounded by the rod into the ground.
The NEC does call for the ability to connect up the phone and other systems to the grounding electrode system, with #10 cu wire.
The codes only apply to people when they build, rebuild or remodel, so it is more up to pulling permits and getting inspections, that enforces the codes.