(a) All investigations or proceedings conducted by the State Bar concerning the moral character of an applicant shall be confidential and shall not be disclosed pursuant to any state law, including, but not limited to, the California Public Records Act (Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 6250) of Division 7 of Title 1 of the Government Code) unless the applicant, in writing, waives the confidentiality.
(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), the records of the proceeding may be disclosed in response to either of the following:
(1) A lawfully issued subpoena.
(2) A written request from a government agency responsible for either the enforcement of civil or criminal laws or the professional licensing of individuals that is conducting an investigation about the applicant.
(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 422, Sec. 25. (SB 36) Effective January 1, 2018.)