I think it is not about specific law targeting laptops, but they might be legally obligated to protect their IP and business secrets i.e. source code, credentia

I think it is not about specific law targeting laptops, but they might be legally obligated to protect their IP and business secrets i.e. source code, credentials and the documentation etc on the company owned devices. If they give away the laptop, it will be difficult to guarantee and verify that the data is wiped out entirely within whatever time frame they are aiming for. So, they want their property back.