(III) NOTWITHSTANDING SUBPARAGRAPH (I) OF THIS PARAGRAPH,
IF A CO-CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE IS THE LEGISLATOR
REQUESTING THE OPINION, THE OPINION MUST BE APPROVED BY A MAJORITY OF
THE COMMITTEE.

(B) THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE IS NOT REQUIRED TO ISSUE AN OPINION
IF THE REQUEST IS NOT MADE IN A TIMELY MANNER

(C) THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE ON ITS OWN MOTION MAY RENDER
OPINIONS AS IT CONSIDERS APPROPRIATE.

(D) (1) THE CO-CHAIRMEN SHALL DETERMINE WHETHER AN OPINION
SHALL BE MADE PUBLIC, WITH DELETIONS AND CHANGES NECESSARY TO PROTECT
THE LEGISLATOR'S IDENTITY.

(2) (I) THE COUNSEL TO THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE SHALL
COMPILE AND INDEX EACH OPINION THAT WILL BE MADE PUBLIC.

(II) THE COMPILATION OF OPINIONS SHALL BE DISTRIBUTED TO
EACH MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY AND SHALL BE AVAILABLE TO THE
PUBLIC.

(E) THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE MAY TAKE NO ADVERSE ACTION WITH
REGARD TO CONDUCT THAT HAS BEEN UNDERTAKEN IN RELIANCE ON A WRITTEN
OPINION IF THE CONDUCT CONFORMS TO THE SPECIFIC FACTS ADDRESSED IN THE
OPINION.

(F) INFORMATION PROVIDED TO THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE BY A
LEGISLATOR SEEKING ADVICE REGARDING PROSPECTIVE CONDUCT MAY NOT BE
USED AS THE BASIS FOR INITIATING AN INVESTIGATION UNDER § 15-515 OF THIS
SUBTITLE IF THE LEGISLATOR ACTS IN GOOD FAITH IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE
ADVICE OF THE COMMITTEE. 

(G) (1) AN OPINION ISSUED UNDER THIS SECTION IS BINDING ON ANY
LEGISLATOR TO WHOM IT IS ADDRESSED.

(2) A PUBLISHED OPINION IS BINDING ON ALL MEMBERS OF THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[15-515.

Any person may file with the Joint Ethics Committee a written statement,
accompanied by an affidavit setting forth the facts upon which the statement is
based, or the Joint Ethics Committee on its own may prepare a statement, alleging
that a member may have violated standards of ethical conduct for legislators
established by law or rule.]

15-515. COMPLAINTS.

(A) A COMPLAINT ALLEGING THAT A MEMBER OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
MAY HAVE VIOLATED STANDARDS OF ETHICAL CONDUCT, INCLUDING § 2-108 OF
THIS ARTICLE, MAY BE FILED WITH THE JOINT ETHICS COMMITTEE BY: