(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, a licensee or registrant who has reasonable cause to believe that a licensee, registrant, or applicant is impaired shall report that fact to the department. For purposes of this subsection, a report filed with the committee or with the program consultants described in section 16168 is considered to be filed with the department. A licensee or registrant who fails to report under this subsection is not liable in a civil action for damages resulting from the failure to report, but the licensee or registrant is subject to administrative action under section 16221 and 16226.

    (2) This section does not apply to a licensee or registrant who is in a bona fide health professional-patient relationship with a licensee, registrant, or applicant believed to be impaired.

    (3) A licensee or registrant who in good faith complies with this section is not liable for damages in a civil action or subject to prosecution in a criminal proceeding as a result of the compliance.