(1) The department shall keep a public record of its proceedings and a register of all applicants for licensure.
(2) All official records of the department or affidavits by the commissioner as to the contents of the records shall be prima facie evidence of all matters required to be kept in the records.
(3) Except as otherwise provided by this section, the following shall be treated as confidential and may not be disclosed except by order of a court of competent jurisdiction or by permission of the applicant: Applications and other personal information submitted by applicants, except to the applicant, the department, its staff or the advisory committee; and
(4) Information submitted by a reference concerning an applicant, except to the department, its staff or the advisory committee.