Submitted by: Laura Reams
Submitting Department: City Clerk
Agenda Section: Action
Item Title:
title
Hyattsville Ordinance 2022-08: Updates to Ethics Code
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Suggested Action:
recommendation
I move the Mayor and Council introduce Hyattsville Ordinance 2022-08, an Ordinance whereby the City of Hyattsville amends its ethics provisions to conform to recent updates to State law as to financial reporting and conflicts of interest (INTRODUCTION & FIRST READING).
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Summary Background:
During the 2021 legislation season, the Maryland General Assembly enacted House Bill 363 and House Bill 1058. These bills have added new laws to the Maryland Public Ethics Law and require local governments to incorporate the changes into their municipal codes. The provisions in the City's Ethics Code are mandated by the State legislature and subject to review by the State Ethics Commission for conformance with state law.
The required changes are reflected in Hyattsville Ordinance 2022-08 and are summarized below.
- Current and former public officials and employees are prohibited from disclosing or using confidential information acquired by their public position for the economic benefit of the official or employee or that of another person.
- Inclusion of a non-retaliation clause for any individual reporting or participating in an investigation of an ethics violation.
- Requirement for the public posting of financial disclosure statements or a summary of the statements online. Statements shall be redacted to mitigate the risk of identity theft and full, unaltered statements will remain available via the City Clerk's office.
- Amendments to the Financial Disclosure Statement Form include:
o Requirement for elected officials and staff to report any gift in excess of $20 or a series of gifts total $100 or more from the Maryland Municipal League (MML) or the Maryland Association of Counties (MACO).
o Disclosure of a financial or contractual relationship with State government, ...
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