South Carolina § 40-33-190 - Matters relating to complaint and proceeding privileged.

§ 40-33-190. Matters relating to complaint and proceeding privileged.

(A) No person connected with any complaint, investigation, or other proceeding before the board including, but not limited to, a witness, counsel, counsel's secretary, board member, board employee, court reporter, or investigator may mention the existence of the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding, disclose any information pertaining to the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding, or discuss any testimony or other evidence in the complaint, investigation, or proceeding, and then only to the extent necessary for the proper disposition of the complaint, investigation, or other proceeding.

(B) Every communication, oral or written, to the board, department, staff, counsel, or any other person acting on behalf of the board or department during the investigation, hearing, or adjudication of the disciplinary matters including, but not limited to, investigative reports concerning interviews and issues under investigation, correspondence, summaries, incident reports, computer printouts, and documents created during peer review proceedings are privileged and these persons are immune from liability.

(C) Information that has been declared confidential or personal under this chapter or other applicable law must not be disclosed, except to the extent necessary for the proper disposition of the matter before the board, and is protected in the same manner as provided in Section 40-71-20, or as otherwise provided by law.

(D) The identity of the initial complainant and any confidential informants or other witnesses who do not testify must not be disclosed to other parties, entities, or persons, and all information contained in confidential investigative files is privileged from disclosure for any reason whatsoever, except as provided for in subsection (E).

(E) Whenever the department receives information indicating a violation of state or federal law, the department may provide that information, to the extent the department considers necessary, to the appropriate state or federal law enforcement or regulatory body.

(F) No information in investigative files or disciplinary proceedings is required to be expunged pursuant to any other provision of state law.

HISTORY: 2004 Act No. 225, SECTION 1.