Contractors: expertise: legal representation.

Existing law requires a board under the Business and Professions Code, including the Contractors' State License Board, to provide legal representation to any person hired or under contract who provides expertise to the board in the evaluation of an applicant or the conduct of a licensee when that person is named vas a defendant in a civil action arising out of the evaluation or any opinions rendered, statements made, or testimony given to the board. Existing law provides that the board is not liable for any judgment rendered against that person. Existing law requires the Attorney General to be utilized in the action and his or her services charged to the board. Existing law authorizes the Contractors' State License Board to contract with professionals whose skills or expertise are required to aid in the investigation or prosecution of a licensee, registrant, applicant for a license or registration, or those subject to licensure or registration by the board. This bill would require the Contractors' State License Board to provide for representation to any professional who provides expertise to the board in the evaluation of the conduct of a licensee, registrant, or applicant when, as a result of providing that expertise, the professional is named as a defendant in a civil action. The bill would further require that representation in any proceeding instituted by the board or to which the board is a party, and would require the board to pay for any services rendered by the Attorney General. The bill would require indemnification for any judgment rendered against the professional, as specified.