(a)
Without limiting any privilege that is otherwise available under law, any communication or publication from, or concerning, an applicant, licensee, or registrant, in oral, written, or any other form, is absolutely privileged and so shall not form a basis for imposing liability for defamation or constitute a ground for recovery in any civil action, under any of the following circumstances:
(1)
It was made or published by an agent or employee of the department or commission in the proper discharge of official duties or in the course of any proceeding under this chapter.
(2)
It was required to be made or published to the department or commission, or any of their agents or employees, by law, regulation, or subpoena of the department or the commission.
(3)
It was, in good faith, made or published to the department or the commission for the purpose of causing, assisting, or aiding an investigation conducted pursuant to this chapter.
(b)
If any document or communication provided to the department or the commission contains any information that is privileged pursuant to Division 8 (commencing with Section 900) of the Evidence Code, or any other provision of law, that privilege is not waived or lost because the document or communication is disclosed to the department or the commission or to any of their agents or employees.
(c)
The department, the commission, and their agents and employees shall not release or disclose any information, documents, or communications provided by an applicant, licensee, or other person, that are privileged pursuant to Division 8 (commencing with Section 900) of the Evidence Code, or any other provision of law, without the prior written consent of the holder of the privilege, or pursuant to lawful court order after timely notice of the proceedings has been given to the holder of the privilege. An application to a court for an order requiring the department or the commission to release any information declared by law to be confidential shall be made only upon motion made in writing on not less than 10-business days’ notice to the department or the commission, and to all persons who may be affected by the entry of the order.