(a) The director, as a general rule, shall publish or make available for public inspection any information filed with or obtained by the department, unless the director finds that this availability or publication is contrary to law. No provision of this chapter authorizes the director or any of the director’s assistants, clerks, or deputies to disclose any information withheld from public inspection except among themselves or when necessary or appropriate in a proceeding or investigation under this chapter or to other federal or state regulatory agencies. No provision of this chapter either creates or derogates from any privilege that exists at common law or otherwise when documentary or other evidence is sought under a subpoena directed to the director or any of his or her assistants, clerks, or deputies.
(b) It is unlawful for the director or any of his or her assistants, clerks, or deputies to use for personal benefit any information that is filed with or obtained by the director and that is not then generally available to the public.
(Added by Stats. 1999, Ch. 525, Sec. 27. Effective January 1, 2000. Operative July 1, 2000, or sooner, by Sec. 214 of Ch. 525.)