Privileged communications.

Existing law provides that libel is a false and unprivileged written publication that injures the reputation, and that slander is a false and unprivileged publication, orally uttered, that injures the reputation, as specified. Existing law makes certain publications and communications privileged, and therefore protected from the threat of civil action, including communications made in a legislative proceeding, judicial proceeding, or other proceedings authorized by law, except as specified. This bill would identify specified communications that are not made privileged under those provisions, including communications authorized by certain provisions of state law relating to real property transactions, of residential tenants, or discrimination against residential tenants that violate any federal, state, or local law, or breach a contractual obligation owed by the landlord. The bill would set forth specified exceptions from that provision.