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The Official Website of the State Ethics Commission
State Ethics Commission

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Information about the Conflict of Interest Law

Detailed information about the conflict of interest law, including educational advisories, summaries of the law and disclosure forms.

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  • Gifts & GratuitiesClick to show or hide the child topics of Gifts & Gratuities.
    • Disclosure Forms
    • Educational Materials
  • NepotismClick to show or hide the child topics of Nepotism.
    • Disclosure Forms
    • Educational Materials
  • Code of ConductClick to show or hide the child topics of Code of Conduct.
    • Disclosure Forms
    • Educational Materials
  • Divided LoyaltiesClick to show or hide the child topics of Divided Loyalties.
    • Educational Materials
  • Holding a 2nd Public PositionClick to show or hide the child topics of Holding a 2nd Public Position.
    • Disclosure Forms
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  • Leaving State or Municipal ServiceClick to show or hide the child topics of Leaving State or Municipal Service.
    • Educational Materials
  • Conflict of Interest Law As Amended by c. 194, Acts of 2011

    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.
  • G.L. c. 268B, The Financial Disclosure Law, As Amended by c. 194, Acts of 2011

    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.
  • Bribery (268A, Section 2)

    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.
  • Gifts and Gratuities (268A, Section 3)

    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.
  • Financial Interests Conflicting with Official Duties (268A, Sections 6, 13 and 19)

    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.
  • Code of Conduct (268A, Section 23)

    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.
  • Receiving Compensation From Another Individual or Entity, or Acting as an Agent or Attorney on Behalf of Another Individual or Entity, in a Matter of Public Interest (268A, Sections 4, 11 and 17)

    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.
  • Public Employees Who Have A Direct or Indirect Financial Interest in Multiple Public Contracts (268A, Sections 7, 14 and 20)

    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).
  • Former Public Employees (268A, Sections 5, 12 and 18)

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

    Information about how the statute of limitations applies to Commission proceedings.
  • Introduction to the Conflict of Interest Law for the Public Sector

    An introduction to the conflict of interest law for public employees.
  • Introduction to the Conflict of Interest Law for the Private Sector

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

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