(1) Neither the education ombudsman nor any regional educational ombudsmen are liable for good faith performance of responsibilities under this chapter.

     (2) No discriminatory, disciplinary, or retaliatory action may be taken against any student or employee of any school district, the office of the superintendent of public education [instruction], or the state board of education, for any communication made, or information given or disclosed, to aid the education ombudsman in carrying out his or her duties and responsibilities, unless the same was done without good faith or maliciously. This subsection is not intended to infringe upon the rights of a school district to supervise, discipline, or terminate an employee for other reasons or to discipline a student for other reasons.

     (3) All communications by the education ombudsman or the ombudsman's staff or designee, if reasonably related to the education ombudsman's duties and responsibilities and done in good faith, are privileged and that privilege shall serve as a defense to any action in libel or slander.

[2006 c 116 § 5.]