Section 15-805 - Financial disclosure laws. - Maryland Statutes

§ 15-805. Financial disclosure laws.
 

(a)  "Elected local official" and "local official" defined.-  

(1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated. 

(2) "Elected local official" includes: 

(i) any individual who holds an elective office of a county or municipal corporation; and 

(ii) a candidate for elective office as a local official of a county or municipal corporation. 

(3) "Local official" includes an individual, designated as a local official, whose position is funded wholly or partly by the State. 

(b)  Similarity to Ethics Law.-  

(1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, the financial disclosure provisions enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 15-803 of this subtitle shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 6 of this title, but shall be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction. 

(2) The financial disclosure provisions for elected local officials enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 15-803 of this subtitle shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 6 of this title, but shall be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction. 

(c)  Minimum standards.-  

(1) This subtitle does not compel the governing body of a county or municipal corporation to require a local official to file a financial disclosure statement except: 

(i) when the personal interest of the local official will present a potential conflict with the public interest in connection with an anticipated public action of the local official; and 

(ii) at least annually to report on gifts received by the local official. 

(2) The provisions shall require: 

(i) that a statement filed under paragraph (1)(i) of this subsection be filed sufficiently in advance of the action to provide adequate disclosure to the public; and 

(ii) a statement filed by an elected local official under subsection (b)(2) of this section to be filed on or before April 30 of each year. 

(d)  Standards for candidates.- Financial disclosure provisions applicable to a candidate shall be consistent with the provisions applicable to an incumbent holding the office involved. 
 

[An. Code 1957, art. 40A, § 6-201; 1995, ch. 533, § 2; ch 539, § 1; 2010, ch. 277.]