(a) For purposes of performing a thorough background investigation for applicants not currently employed as a peace officer, as required by subdivision (d) of Section 1031, or in the case of an applicant for a position other than a sworn peace officer within a law enforcement agency, an employer shall disclose employment information relating to a current or former employee, upon request of a law enforcement agency, if all of the following conditions are met:

(1) The request is made in writing.

(2) The request is accompanied by a notarized authorization by the applicant releasing the employer of liability.

(3) The request and the authorization are presented to the employer by a sworn officer or other authorized representative of the employing law enforcement agency.

(b) In the absence of fraud or malice, an employer shall not be subject to civil liability for any relevant cause of action by virtue of releasing employment information required pursuant to this section. This section does not in any way or manner abrogate or lessen the existing common law or statutory privileges and immunities of an employer.

(c) For purposes of this section, “employment information” includes written information in connection with job applications, performance evaluations, attendance records, disciplinary actions, eligibility for rehire, and other information relevant to the performance of a peace officer or other law enforcement agency applicant, except information prohibited from disclosure by any other state or federal law or regulation.

(d) An employer’s refusal to disclose information to a law enforcement agency in accordance with this section shall constitute grounds for a civil action for injunctive relief requiring disclosure on the part of an employer.

(e) Employment information disclosed by an employer to an initial requesting law enforcement agency shall be deemed confidential. However, the initial requesting law enforcement agency may disclose this information to another authorized law enforcement agency that is also conducting a background investigation into a peace officer or other law enforcement agency applicant. If this information is disclosed to another law enforcement agency, that agency shall utilize the information for investigative leads only and the information shall be independently verified by that agency in order to be used in determining the suitability of a peace officer or other law enforcement agency applicant.

(f) An employer may charge reasonable fees to cover actual costs incurred in copying and furnishing documents to law enforcement agencies as required by this section.

(Amended by Stats. 2019, Ch. 256, Sec. 4. (SB 781) Effective January 1, 2020.)