(a) As used in this section, “Commissioner” includes an employee, agent, or designee of the Commissioner. A person, or an employee or agent of that person, acting without actual malice, is not subject to civil liability for libel, slander, or any other cause of action by virtue of furnishing to the Commissioner, under the requirements of law or at the direction of the Commissioner, reports or other information relating to any known or suspected viatical settlement fraudulent act.

(b) The Commissioner, acting without actual malice, is not subject to civil liability for libel or slander by virtue of an investigation of any known or suspected viatical settlement fraudulent act; or by virtue of the publication or dissemination of any official report related to any such investigation, which report is published or disseminated in the absence of fraud, bad faith, or actual malice on the part of the Commissioner.

(c) During the course of an investigation of a known or suspected viatical settlement fraudulent act, the Commissioner may request any person to furnish copies of any information relative to the known or suspected viatical settlement fraudulent act. The person shall release the information requested and cooperate with the Commissioner under this section. (2001-436, s. 3.)