507E.5 Confidentiality.

1. All investigation files, investigation reports, and all other investigative information in the possession of the bureau are confidential records under chapter 22 except as specifically provided in this section and are not subject to discovery, subpoena, or other means of legal compulsion for their release until opened for public inspection by the bureau, or upon the consent of the bureau, or until a court of competent jurisdiction determines, after notice to the bureau and hearing, that the bureau will not be unnecessarily hindered in accomplishing the purposes of this chapter by their opening for public inspection. However, investigative information in the possession of the bureau may be disclosed, in the commissioner’s discretion, to appropriate licensing authorities within this state, another state or the District of Columbia, or a territory or country in which a licensee is licensed or has applied for a license.

2. The commissioner may share documents, materials, or other information, including confidential and privileged documents, materials, or other information, with other state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, with the national association of insurance commissioners and its affiliates or subsidiaries, and with state, federal, and international law enforcement authorities, provided that the recipient agrees to maintain the confidential and privileged status of the document, material, or other information, pursuant to Iowa law.

3. The commissioner may receive documents, materials, or other information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials, or other information, from other local, state, federal, and international regulatory agencies, the national association of insurance commissioners and its affiliates or subsidiaries, and local, state, federal, and international law enforcement authorities, and shall maintain as confidential and privileged any document, material, or other information received with notice or the understanding that it is confidential or privileged under the laws of the jurisdiction that is the source of the document, material, or other information.

4. The commissioner may enter into agreements governing the sharing and use of documents, materials, or other information consistent with this section.

5. An investigator or other staff member of the bureau is not subject to subpoena in a civil action concerning any matter of which the investigator or other staff member has knowledge pursuant to a pending or continuing investigation being conducted by the bureau pursuant to this chapter.

94 Acts, ch 1072, §5; 2006 Acts, ch 1117, §30

Referred to in §22.7(54)