Section 1618.5.

(a) The board shall provide to the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care a copy of any accusation filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings pursuant to Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, when the accusation is filed, for a violation of this chapter relating to the quality of care of any dental provider of a health care service plan, as defined in Section 1345 of the Health and Safety Code. There shall be no liability on the part of, and no cause of action shall arise against, the State of California, the Board of Dental Examiners, the Department of Managed Health Care, the director of that department, or any officer, agent, employee, consultant, or contractor of the state or the board or the department for the release of any false or unauthorized information pursuant to this section, unless the release is made with knowledge and malice.

(b) The board and its executive officer and staff shall maintain the confidentiality of any nonpublic reports provided by the Director of the Department of Managed Health Care pursuant to subdivision (i) of Section 1380 of the Health and Safety Code.

(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 857, Sec. 1. Effective January 1, 2001.)