Section 5-501 – Restrictions on Participation
(a) Except as otherwise provided in subsection (c) of this section, an official or employee may not participate in a matter if: (1) the official or employee or a qualifying relative of the official or employee has an interest in the matter and the official or employee knows of the interest; or (2) any of the following is […]
Section 5-502 – Employment or Financial Interests — General Restriction
(a) This section does not apply to members of the General Assembly. (b) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, an official or employee may not: (1) be employed by or have a financial interest in: (i) an entity subject to the authority of that official or employee or of the governmental unit with which […]
Section 5-503 – Employment Restriction — Entities Contracting With State
(a) This section does not apply to members of the General Assembly. (b) An official or employee may not be employed by an entity that is a party to a contract that binds or purports to bind the State if: (1) the duties of the official or employee include matters substantially relating to or affecting the subject matter […]
Section 5-504 – Employment Restriction — Representation or Assistance
(a) (1) This subsection does not apply to members of the General Assembly. (2) Except as provided in paragraph (3) of this subsection, an official or employee may not, for contingent compensation, assist or represent a party in any matter before or involving any unit of the State or a political subdivision of the State. (3) Paragraph (2) of […]
Section 5-505 – Gifts or Honoraria
(a) (1) An official or employee may not solicit any gift. (2) An official may not directly solicit or facilitate the solicitation of a gift, on behalf of another person, from an individual regulated lobbyist described in § 5–702(a)(1) of this title. (b) (1) In this subsection, “entity” does not include a governmental unit. (2) Except as provided in subsection (c) […]
Section 5-506 – Use of Prestige of Office
(a) (1) An official or employee may not intentionally use the prestige of office or public position: (i) for that official’s or employee’s private gain or that of another; or (ii) to influence, except as part of the official duties of the official or employee or as a usual and customary constituent service without additional compensation, the award of […]
Section 5-507 – Disclosure or Use of Confidential Information
Except in the discharge of an official duty, an official or employee or a former official or employee may not disclose or use confidential information acquired by reason of the individual’s public position or former public position and not available to the public: (1) for personal economic benefit; or (2) for the economic benefit of another.
Section 5-508 – Unlawful Harassment or Discrimination Prohibited
(a) This section does not apply to a State official of the Legislative Branch or a State official of the Judicial Branch. (b) A State official may not, based on any characteristic protected by law, unlawfully harass or discriminate against: (1) an official or employee; (2) an intern, a page, or a fellow in any branch of State government; […]
Section 5-509 – Retaliation Prohibited for Reporting or Participating in Investigations
An official or employee may not retaliate against an individual for reporting or participating in an investigation of a potential violation of the Maryland Public Ethics Law.