Part I – Ethics Board
Current through 2026-07-17. Source: City of Balt., Md., Ord. 26-129. Published by the Baltimore City Department of Legislative Reference.
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 3-1 (2026)
§ 3-1 Establishment.LinkCopy Citation
There is a Baltimore City Board of Ethics, as established under <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VII|§106">Article VII, § 106 of the City Charter</cite> and this subtitle.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 3-2 (2026)
§ 3-2 Appointment and qualifications.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Composition.
The Ethics Board comprises the following 5 members, appointed by the Mayor in accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6">City Charter Article IV, § 6</cite>:
(1)
1 member nominated by the President of the City Council;
(2)
1 member nominated by the City Comptroller; and
(3)
3 members named by the Mayor, at least 2 of whom must be members of the Maryland Bar.
(b)Qualifications.
(1)
Each member of the Ethics Board must be:
(i)
an individual of known personal integrity;
(ii)
someone who possesses a recognized knowledge and interest in government and civics; and
(iii)
a resident of the City of Baltimore.
(2)
No person may be appointed to the Board or, once appointed, continue to serve on the Board if the person:
(i)
is or becomes a lobbyist under the State Public Ethics Law, Subtitle 8 of <cite data-path="|8">this article</cite>, or the ethics code of any political subdivision of this State;
(ii)
is or becomes an officer or employee of the State, the City, or any other political subdivision of the State, or of any of their respective agencies, instrumentalities, or other units (other than a State college, university, or other institution of higher education); or
(iii)
is or becomes a candidate for elected public office of the State, the City, or any other political subdivision of the State.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 10-272
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 3-3 (2026)
§ 3-3 Tenure; removal.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Tenure.
(1)
In accordance with <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="VII|§108|(a)">City Charter Article VII, § 108(a)</cite>, the term of a member is 5 years.
(2)
The terms of the members are staggered as required by the terms for the members first appointed under the 2010 amendments to this subtitle.
(3)
At the end of a term, a member continues to serve until a successor is appointed and qualifies.
(b)Removal.
(1)
The Mayor may remove an appointed member as provided in <cite data-doc="City of Baltimore, Md., Charter" data-path="IV|§6">City Charter Article IV, § 6</cite>, but only for the following causes:
(i)
neglect of duty;
(ii)
misconduct in office;
(iii)
a disability that makes the member unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office; or
(iv)
a violation of <cite data-path="|8">this article</cite>.
(2)
Before seeking City Council approval for a removal, the Mayor must give the member:
(i)
written notice of the charges; and
(ii)
an opportunity to reply to the charges.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 10-272
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 3-4 (2026)
§ 3-4 Officers.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Chair.
(1)
The Ethics Board must elect a Chair from among its members.
(2)
The term of the Chair is 1 year.
(3)
The Chair may be reelected.
(b)Others.
The Ethics Board may elect a Vice-Chair and other officers from among its members.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 10-272
History: Ord. 11-520
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 3-5 (2026)
§ 3-5 Meetings; compensation.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Quorum.
3 Members of the Ethics Board are a quorum.
(b)Voting.
(1)
An affirmative vote of at least 3 members is needed for any action by the Ethics Board.
(2)
The Board’s records must show how each member voted on each question.
(c)Open meetings.
All meetings of the Ethics Board must be conducted in accordance with the State Open Meetings Act, Title 3 of the State <cite data-path="|general">General Provisions Article</cite>.
(d)Compensation; expenses.
The members of the Ethics Board:
(1)
serve without compensation; but
(2)
are entitled to reimbursement for reasonable expenses incurred in the performance of their duties, as provided in the Ordinance of Estimates.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 16-503
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 3-6 (2026)
§ 3-6 Rules and regulations; orders.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Rules and regulations.
Subject to Title 4 {“Administrative Procedure Act – Regulations”} of the <cite data-path="|general">City General Provisions Article</cite>, the Ethics Board may adopt rules and regulations to carry out the provisions of <cite data-path="|8">this article</cite>.
(b)Orders.
The Ethics Board may issue orders necessary or appropriate to carry out the provisions of <cite data-path="|8">this article</cite>.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Text Conformed 02/16/21
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 3-7 to 3-10 (2026)
§§ 3-7 to 3-10LinkCopy Citation
Reserved