Immunity from liability in civil actions for reporting, communicating and investigating certain information concerning alleged malpractice incidents and other information; conditions

(a) No person reporting to the state board of healing arts in good faith any information such person may have relating to alleged incidents of malpractice, or the qualifications, fitness or character of, or disciplinary action taken against, a person licensed, registered or certified by the board shall be subject to a civil action for damages as a result of reporting such information, and such person reporting shall be immune from any civil liability that might otherwise be incurred in an action resulting from reporting such information. In any civil action resulting from reporting such information in which a court determines that a person reporting under this section reported in good faith, the court shall allow the person reporting a reasonable amount for attorney fees and expenses incurred in defending the civil action. (b) Any state, regional or local association composed of persons licensed to practice a profession regulated by the board and the individual members of any committee thereof that in good faith investigates or communicates information pertaining to the alleged incidents of malpractice, or the qualifications, fitness or character of, or disciplinary action taken against, any licensee, registrant or certificate holder to the state board of healing arts or to any committee or agent thereof, shall be immune from liability in any civil action that is based upon such investigation or transmittal of information if the investigation and communication was made in good faith and did not represent as true any matter not reasonably believed to be true.