New Jersey § 52:9m-15

§ 52:9m-15.

a. Any person conducting or participating in any examination or investigation who

shall disclose or any person who, coming into possession of or knowledge of the substance

of any examination or investigation, shall disclose, or any person who shall cause,

encourage or induce a person, including any witness or informant, to disclose, other

than as authorized or required by law, to any person other than the commission or

an officer having the power to appoint one or more of the commissioners the name of

any witness examined, or any information obtained or given upon such examination or

investigation, except as directed by the Governor or commission, or any person other

than a member or employee of the commission or any person entitled to assert a legal

privilege who, coming into possession of or knowledge of the substance of any pending

examination or investigation who fails to advise the Attorney General and the commission

of such possession or knowledge and to deliver to the Attorney General and the commission

any documents or materials containing such information, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor

until September 1, 1979 when such person shall be guilty of a crime of the third degree. Any member or employee of the commission who shall violate this section shall be

dismissed from his office or discharged from his employment. b. Any statement made by a member of the commission or an employee thereof relevant

to any proceedings before or investigative activities of the commission shall be absolutely

privileged and such privilege shall be a complete defense to any action for libel

or slander; provided, however, that nothing in this subsection shall be deemed to

grant immunity for conduct that was outside the scope of his employment or constituted a crime, actual

fraud, actual malice or willful misconduct . c. Nothing contained in this section shall in any way prevent the commission from

furnishing information or making reports, as required by this act, or from furnishing

information to the Legislature, or to a standing reference committee thereof, pursuant

to a resolution duly adopted by a standing reference committee or pursuant to a duly

authorized subpena or subpena duces tecum, provided, however, that nothing herein

shall be deemed to preclude the commission from seeking from a court of competent

jurisdiction a protective order to avoid compliance with such subpena or duces tecum. d. Nothing in P.L.1963, c. 73 ( C.47:1A-1 et seq. ), as amended and supplemented by P.L.2001, c. 404 , shall be construed to require the commission to disclose any information acquired

or any records created, except as provided by this section.