HARRY HUGHES, Governor

1433

Article 41 — Governor — Executive and Administrative

Departments
Section 14A

Annotated Code of Maryland
(1978 Replacement Volume and 1978 Supplement)

BY repealing

Article 64A — Merit System

Section 24A

Annotated Code of Maryland

(1972 Replacement Volume and 1978 Supplement)

SECTION 1. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF
MARYLAND, That section(s) of the Annotated Code of Maryland
be repealed, amended, or enacted to read as follows:

ARTICLE 40A - MARYLAND PUBLIC ETHICS LAW

TITLE 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

SUBTITLE 1. SHORT TITLE, LEGISLATIVE POLICY, AND
CONFLICTS OF LAW

1-101. SHORT TITLE.

THIS ARTICLE MAY BE CITED AS THE MARYLAND PUBLIC ETHICS
LAW.

1-102. LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND STATEMENT OF POLICY.

(A)    THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF MARYLAND, RECOGNIZING
THAT OUR SYSTEM OF REPRESENTATIVE GOVERNMENT IS DEPENDENT IN
PART UPON THE PEOPLE MAINTAINING THE HIGHEST TRUST IN THEIR
PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS, FINDS AND DECLARES THAT THE
PEOPLE HAVE A RIGHT TO BE ASSURED THAT THE IMPARTIALITY AND
INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT OF PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND OFFICERS WILL
BE MAINTAINED.

(B)    IT IS EVIDENT THAT THIS CONFIDENCE AND TRUST IS
ERODED WHEN THE CONDUCT OF THE STATE'S BUSINESS IS SUBJECT
TO IMPROPER INFLUENCE AND EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF IMPROPER
INFLUENCE.

(C)    FOR THE PURPOSE OF GUARDING AGAINST IMPROPER
INFLUENCE, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY ENACTS THIS PUBLIC ETHICS
LAW TO REQUIRE STATE OFFICIALS AND PUBLIC OFFICIALS TO
DISCLOSE THEIR FINANCIAL AFFAIRS AND TO SET MINIMUM
STANDARDS FOR THEIR CONDUCT OF STATE AND LOCAL BUSINESS.

(D)    IT IS THE INTENTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY THAT
THIS ARTICLE, EXCEPT ITS PROVISIONS FOR CRIMINAL SANCTIONS,
BE LIBERALLY CONSTRUED TO ACCOMPLISH THIS PURPOSE.

1-103. CONFLICTS OF LAWS.