3294

EXECUTIVE ORDERS

improperly influenced. State officers and employees must
avoid all situations where prejudice, bias, or opportunity
for personal gain could influence their decisions. They
must equally avoid circumstances suggesting that favoritism
or personal gain is a motivating force in the conduct of
State Government.

It is the intent of this Code to set forth the minimum
ethical standards to be followed by officers and employees
of the executive branch of the government. These standards
are intended not only to require officers and employees to
avoid activities that might result in using a public office
or employment for private gain or the giving of favored
treatment to any organization or person but also to maintain
public confidence in the executive branch by prohibiting
activities that might permit opportunity for personal gain
or personal preference to influence decisions. The
objectives are to maintain an impartial administration of
the State government and to maintain public confidence in
government-

Article II.
Definitions

1.    "Agency" means any principal department, agency,
commission, bureau, authority, or other instrumentality of
the executive branch of the State of Maryland whose officers
or employees are covered by the provisions of this Code of
Ethics pursuant to Article V hereof.

2.     "Agency head" means the chairman or the chief
executive officer or administrative officer of each of the
State agencies.

3.     "Assist" means to act, or offer to agree to act,
in such a way as to help, aid, advise, furnish information
to, or otherwise provide assistance to another person
believing that such action is of help, aid, advice, or
assistance to such a person and intending so to assist such
person.

4. "Confidential information" means material or
significant information received by an officer or employee
by reason of or in the course of his relationship with an
agency which is not intended at the time received to be made
public and as to which the officer or employee is bound to
act for the benefit of the agency and not for his own
benefit.

5. "Entity" means any individual, partnership,
association, corporation, firm, institute, trust,
foundation, or other organization (other than the State or
an agency thereof) whether or not operated for profit.