Ch. 533                                        1995 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(I)      A STATE OFFICIAL OF THE LEGISLATIVE BRANCH; AND

(II)     A VIOLATION OF SUBTITLE 5 OF THIS TITLE; OR

(3) THE STAFF COUNSEL, IF THE COMPLAINT CONCERNS ANY OTHER
ENTITY.

(B) ASSISTANCE FROM ETHICS COMMISSION.

ON REQUEST OF THE COMMISSION ON JUDICIAL DISABILITIES OR THE JOINT
ETHICS COMMITTEE, THE ETHICS COMMISSION SHALL PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION
OR ASSISTANCE THAT IS NOT PROHIBITED BY LAW.

REVISOR'S NOTE: This section is new language derived without substantive
change from former Art. 40A, § 2-105(b), (c), (f), and the first sentence of
(d).

Defined terms: "Entity" § 15-102
"Ethics Commission" § 15-102
"Joint Ethics Committee" § 15-102
"State official" § 15-102

15-403. COMPLAINTS RETAINED BY ETHICS COMMISSION - PRELIMINARY ACTION.

(A)     EVIDENCE.

AS TO A COMPLAINT RETAINED BY THE ETHICS COMMISSION UNDER § 15-402(B)
OF THIS SUBTITLE, THE STAFF COUNSEL SHALL COLLECT AND REFER TO THE
ETHICS COMMISSION EVIDENCE RELATING TO EACH VIOLATION OF THIS TITLE
ALLEGED IN THE COMPLAINT.

(B)     OPPORTUNITY TO CURE.

(1)      PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THE EVIDENCE TO THE ETHICS COMMISSION,
THE STAFF COUNSEL SHALL NOTIFY THE COMPLAINANT AND THE RESPONDENT.

(2)      THE COMMISSION SHALL DISMISS THE COMPLAINT IN A SIGNED
ORDER IF:

(I)      THE RESPONDENT, WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER RECEIVING THE
NOTICE, TAKES ANY AVAILABLE ACTION TO CURE EACH ALLEGED VIOLATION; AND

(II)     IT FINDS THAT DISMISSAL IS NOT CONTRARY TO THE
PURPOSES OF THIS TITLE.

(3)      IF THE COMPLAINT IS DISMISSED UNDER THIS SUBSECTION, THE
ETHICS COMMISSION SHALL PROMPTLY SEND A COPY OF THE ORDER TO THE
COMPLAINANT AND THE RESPONDENT.

(C)     DISMISSAL AFTER PRELIMINARY REVIEW.

IF THE ETHICS COMMISSION DETERMINES THAT THE EVIDENCE SUBMITTED BY
THE STAFF COUNSEL DOES NOT MERIT FURTHER PROCEEDINGS, THE ETHICS
COMMISSION SHALL:

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