§33-2-19 Confidentiality of information. - West Virginia Statutes

§33-2-19. Confidentiality of information.
(a) Documents, materials or other information in the possession or control of the commissioner that are obtained in an investigation of any suspected violation of any provision of this chapter or chapter twenty-three of this code are confidential by law and privileged, are not subject to the provisions of chapter twenty-nine-b of this code and are not open to public inspection. The commissioner may use the documents, materials or other information in the furtherance of any regulatory or legal action brought as a part of the commissioner's official duties. The commissioner may use the documents, materials or other information if they are required for evidence in criminal proceedings or for other action by the state or federal government and in such context may be discoverable only as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction exercising its discretion.

(b) Neither the commissioner nor any person who receives documents, materials or other information while acting under the authority of the commissioner may be permitted or required to testify in any private civil action concerning any confidential documents, materials or information subject to subsection (a) of this section except as ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction.

(c) In order to assist in the performance of the commissioner's duties, the commissioner may:

(1) Share documents, materials, communications or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials or information, with other state, federal and international regulatory agencies, with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and its affiliates and subsidiaries, and with regulatory and law-enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions: Provided, That the recipient agrees to maintain the confidentiality and privileged status of the document, material, communication or other information;

(2) Receive documents, materials, communications or information, including otherwise confidential and privileged documents, materials or information, from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and its affiliates and subsidiaries and from regulatory and law-enforcement officials of other foreign or domestic jurisdictions and shall maintain as confidential or privileged any document, material or 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 information; and

(3) Enter into agreements governing sharing and use of information consistent with this subsection.