(a) Every bodily injury, medical payment, or uninsured motorist claim made under a policy of automobile insurance shall be available, upon request, to law enforcement agencies in this state, whenever that claim relates to an event that occurred within the state.

(b) Every claim subject to subdivision (a) shall be available without regard to any limitation in the Insurance Information and Privacy Protection Act (Article 6.6 (commencing with Section 791) of Chapter 1), or any other provision of law, whether or not the law enforcement agency has formed a reasonable belief that a violation of law may have occurred with regard to the claim.

(c) (1) A licensed insurance claims analysis bureau shall provide automobile claims information, upon request, to a law enforcement agency pursuant to the authority in subdivision (a).

(2) A licensed insurance claims analysis bureau, and any person employed therein, that provides information pursuant to this section shall have the same immunity provided under Section 791.21 as any person disclosing personal or privileged information under Article 6.6 (commencing with Section 791) of Chapter 1.

(d) (1) Claims information requested by law enforcement agencies, pursuant to the authority in this section, shall be used solely for the purpose of investigating and prosecuting automobile insurance fraud. Those requests shall be narrowly formulated in order to protect the privacy rights of citizens of this state, while obtaining the information necessary to conduct specific investigations.

(2) The commissioner shall establish rules governing the access to, and use of, any information requested or obtained pursuant to this section, and the circumstances under which that information may be inspected and corrected.

(Added by Stats. 1997, Ch. 501, Sec. 3. Effective January 1, 1998.)