A. No cause of action shall arise nor shall any liability be imposed against the superintendent, the superintendent's authorized representatives or any examiner appointed by the superintendent for any statements made or conduct performed in good faith while carrying out the provisions of Chapter 59A, Article 4 NMSA 1978.

B. No cause of action shall arise nor shall any liability be imposed against any person for the act of communicating or delivering information or data to the superintendent or the superintendent's authorized representative or examiner pursuant to an examination made under Chapter 59A, Article 4 NMSA 1978, if such act of communication or delivery was performed in good faith and without fraudulent intent or the intent to deceive.

C. This section does not abrogate or modify in any way any common law or statutory privilege or immunity heretofore enjoyed by any person identified in Subsection A of this section.

D. A person identified in Subsection A of this section shall be entitled to an award of attorneys' fees and costs if he is the prevailing party in a civil cause of action for libel, slander or any other relevant tort arising out of activities in carrying out the provisions of Chapter 59A, Article 4 NMSA 1978 and the party bringing the action was not substantially justified in doing so. For purposes of this section a proceeding is "substantially justified" if it had a reasonable basis in law or fact at the time that it was initiated.

History: 1978 Comp., § 59A-4-21, enacted by Laws 1993, ch. 320, § 10.