Information about the Conflict of Interest Law

Note: This unofficial version of chapter 268A as amended by chapter 194 of the Acts of 2011 was prepared by staff of the State Ethics Commission and is posted here for the convenience of the public. It is not an official statement of the law.

Note: This unofficial version of chapter 268B as amended by chapter 194 of the Acts of 2011 was prepared by staff of the State Ethics Commission and is posted here for the convenience of the public. It is not an official statement of the law.

A bribe is anything of value given to or received directly or indirectly by a public employee to take or not to take an official action.

A gift or gratuity is anything of substantial value ($50 or more) given or received for or because of an official action under the public employee's official responsibility that has or will be performed.

Restrictions that limit a public employee's ability to participate in matters in which the public employee, his immediate family members, business partners, a business organization with which he is affiliated, or a business organization or individual with whom he is negotiating or has an arrangement concerning future employment, has a financial interest.

Standards of conduct that apply to public employees, including the use of a public position to get an unwarranted benefit or privilege, the appearance of a conflict and confidentiality.

Restrictions that limit a public employee's ability to receive money (or any compensation) outside of his public employment, and restrictions that limit a public employee's ability to act on behalf of other individuals or entities, even if the public employee is not paid.

Restrictions that limit a public employee's ability to have a direct or indirect financial interest in multiple public contracts (i.e. a second state, county or municipal contract or position).

Restrictions that apply to public employees after they have left public service and restrictions placed on business partners of current and former public employees.

Information about how the statute of limitations applies to Commission proceedings.

An introduction to the conflict of interest law for public employees.

An introduction to the conflict of interest law for the private sector.