(1) Information and records of employees contained in the department's complaint files under chapter 49.76 RCW and these rules are confidential and shall not be open to public inspection, except as provided in subsection (2) of this section.

(2) Except as limited by federal or state statutes or regulations:

(a) The department may provide information and records in subsection (1) of this section to public employees in the performance of their official duties; and

(b) A complainant, or a representative of a complainant, whether it is an individual or an organization, may review a complaint file or receive specific information after providing a signed authorization of the complainant to the department.