(a)(1), opinions of members of such a committee formed as a result of such proceedings and activities, and records obtained, created, or maintained pursuant to this section, including records of interviews, written reports, and statements procured by the Department of Health and Human Services or by any other person, agency, or organization acting jointly with the Department, in connection with morbidity and mortality reviews under this section, shall be confidential and may not be subject to discovery, subpoena, or introduction into evidence in any civil, criminal, legislative, or other proceeding. Such records shall not be open to public inspection. (2) Testimony of members of committee (A) In general Members of a State maternal mortality review committee established under subsection (a)(1) may not be questioned in any civil, criminal, legislative, or other proceeding regarding information presented in, or opinions formed as a result of, a meeting or communication of the committee. (B) Clarification Nothing in this subsection may be construed to prevent a member of a State maternal mortality review committee established under subsection (a)(1) from testifying regarding information that was obtained independent of such member’s participation on the committee, or public information. (3) Availability of information for research purposes Nothing in this subsection may prohibit a State maternal mortality review committee established under subsection (a)(1) or the Department of Health and Human Services from publishing statistical compilations and research reports that— (A) are based on confidential information, relating to morbidity and mortality reviews under this section