(a) Any information acquired pursuant to this article shall not be a part of the public record. Except as otherwise provided by law, any authorized governmental agency, an insurer, or an agent authorized to act on its behalf, which receives any information furnished pursuant to this article shall not release that information to any person not authorized to receive the information under this article. Any person who violates the prohibition of this subdivision is guilty of a misdemeanor.

(b) The evidence or information described in this section shall be privileged and shall not be subject to subpoena or subpoena duces tecum in a civil or criminal proceeding, unless, after reasonable notice to any insurer, an agent authorized by an insurer to act on its behalf, licensed rating organization, or authorized governmental agency which has an interest in the information, and a hearing, the court determines that the public interest and any ongoing investigation by the authorized governmental agency, insurer, or an agent authorized by the insurer to act on its behalf, or licensed rating organization will not be jeopardized by its disclosure, or by the issuance of and compliance with a subpoena or subpoena duces tecum.

(Amended by Stats. 2003, Ch. 636, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 2004.)