Sec. 15.01.08.04. Ethics Law Restrictions

A. Any Department employee who owns or operates a farm is subject to all applicable provisions of the Ethics Law.

B. For example, the Ethics Law, in part, prohibits employees from participating in matters in which the employee or a relative has a financial or other interest under State Government Article, §15-501, Annotated Code of Maryland.

C. The Ethics Law contains restrictions on:

(1) Post-employment, under State Government Article, §15-504, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(2) Gifts, under State Government Article, §15-505, Annotated Code of Maryland; and

(3) Procurement, under State Government Article, §15-508, Annotated Code of Maryland.

D. The Ethics Law precludes employees from intentionally using the prestige of their position to benefit themselves or others, under State Government Article, §15-606, Annotated Code of Maryland, and State Government Article, §2-307, Annotated Code of Maryland.

E. The Ethics Law precludes disclosure or use of confidential information acquired by reason of the employee's public position and not yet available to the public:

(1) For personal economic benefit; or

(2) For the economic benefit of another, unless the confidential information is released in the discharge of an official duty, under State Government Article, §15-507, Annotated Code of Maryland.

F. In accordance with State Government Article, §15-601, Annotated Code of Maryland, employees may be subject to financial disclosure provisions and may be required to file annual statements if identified as being required to file under that section.