(a) In providing assistance to communities and persons therein in resolving disputes, disagreements, or difficulties relating to discriminatory practices based on the protected characteristics identified in Government Code section 12931, the department shall provide community conflict resolution conciliation assistance in confidence and without publicity, and the department shall hold confidential information and evidence acquired in the regular performance of its duties upon the understanding that it would be so held.

(b) The department shall obtain the understanding of participants in community conflict resolution conciliation assistance that information exchanged as part of community conflict resolution conciliation assistance is confidential.

(c) In maintaining liaisons with human relations commissions, the department shall maintain the confidentiality of any information designated by law as confidential.