Part III – Restrictions on Employment and Interests
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, § 6-11 (2026)
§ 6-11 Prohibited employment, interests.LinkCopy Citation
Except as otherwise provided in this Part III, a public servant may not:
(1)
be employed by or have a financial interest in any person that is subject to the authority of that public servant or of the City agency with which the public servant is affiliated;
(2)
be employed by or have a financial interest in any person that is negotiating or has entered into:
(i)
a contract with the City or an agency of the City, if:
(A)
the contract is with, for the benefit of, or to be administered by the agency with which the public servant is affiliated;
(B)
the public servant’s duties for the City include matters substantially relating to or affecting the subject matter of the contract and the contract binds or purports to bind the City to pay more than $1,000; or
(C)
for any other contract, the public servant fails to timely disclose to the Ethics Board and the procuring agencies, as required by rule or regulation of the Ethics Board, his or her employment by or financial interest in the person who is negotiating or has entered into the contract; or
(ii)
a subcontract on a contract described in this item (2); or
(3)
hold any other employment relationship that would impair the impartiality and independent judgment of the public servant.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 11-484
History: Ord. 15-374
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-12 (2026)
§ 6-12 Exceptions – Board regulation.LinkCopy Citation
The prohibitions in <cite data-path="|8|§6-11">§ 6-11 {“Prohibited interests”} of this subtitle</cite> do not apply to an employment or financial interest that is allowed by a rule or regulation of the Ethics Board if:
(1)
in the case of employment, the employment does not create a conflict of interest or the appearance of a conflict of interest; and
(2)
in the case of a financial interest, the interest is disclosed in the manner required by the rule or regulation.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-13 (2026)
§ 6-13 Exceptions – Industry representatives.LinkCopy Citation
The prohibitions in <cite data-path="|8|§6-11">§ 6-11 {“Prohibited interests”} of this subtitle</cite> do not apply to an individual who is appointed to a regulatory or licensing unit pursuant to a requirement that persons subject to the jurisdiction of the unit be represented in appointments to it.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-14 (2026)
§ 6-14 Exceptions – New board members.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
The prohibitions in <cite data-path="|8|§6-11">§ 6-11 {“Prohibited interests”} of this subtitle</cite> do not apply to a board member who holds the employment or financial interest at the time of his or her appointment, if that employment or financial interest is publicly disclosed to the appointing authority, the Ethics Board, and, if applicable, the City Council before confirmation.
(b)Disclosure by affidavit.
The disclosure must be made by an affidavit, under penalties of perjury, in the form that the Ethics Board requires.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-15 (2026)
§ 6-15 Exceptions – Service on City’s behalf.LinkCopy Citation
The prohibitions in <cite data-path="|8|§6-11">§ 6-11 {“Prohibited interests”} of this subtitle</cite> do not apply to the service of a public servant as a trustee or director of a business entity in accord with and subject to the limitations specified in <cite data-path="|8|§6-9">§ 6-9 {“Service ... on City’s behalf”} of this subtitle</cite>.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-16 (2026)
§ 6-16 Extraordinary exemptions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)In general.
Subject to subsection (b) of this section, the Ethics Board may exempt a public servant from the prohibitions of <cite data-path="|8|§6-11">§ 6-11 {“Prohibited interests”} of this subtitle</cite> or modify the applicability of those prohibitions to a public servant if the Board determines that failure to grant the exemption or modification would limit the City’s ability to:
(1)
recruit and hire highly qualified or uniquely qualified professionals for public service; or
(2)
assure the availability of competent services to the public.
(b)Criteria for granting.
(1)
The Ethics Board may grant an exemption or modification under this section only:
(i)
in extraordinary circumstances;
(ii)
at the request of the City agency involved; and
(iii)
with the Mayor’s approval of that request.
(2)
The Ethics Board must apply this section as consistently as possible under similar facts and circumstances.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-17 (2026)
§ 6-17 Permitted transactions.LinkCopy Citation
The prohibitions of <cite data-path="|8|§6-11">§ 6-11 {“Prohibited interests”} of this subtitle</cite> do not prevent:
(1)
an elected official from appearing, without compensation, before any City agency or legislative body on behalf of constituents or in the performance of any public, official, or civic obligation or duty;
(2)
a public servant from accepting or receiving any benefit or facility that is provided for or made available to citizens or residents under any housing or other general welfare legislation or in the exercise of the police power, but only if the public servant does not exercise any responsibility or authority with respect to authorizing that benefit or facility for himself or herself; or
(3)
a public servant from entering into a contract with the City for the City’s acquisition of real property, if:
(i)
the amount to be paid for the property does not exceed the property’s value, as established by at least 2 competent real estate appraisers selected by the City; and
(ii)
all records of the City relating to the transaction are open to public inspection at all times during regular business hours.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-18 to 6-20 (2026)
§§ 6-18 to 6-20LinkCopy Citation
Reserved
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-21 (2026)
§ 6-21 Contingent compensation.LinkCopy Citation
A public servant may not assist or represent a party for contingent compensation in any matter before or involving any City agency.
History: Ord. 04-795
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-22 (2026)
§ 6-22 Post-employment restrictions.LinkCopy Citation
(a)Former public servants generally.
After leaving office or terminating employment, a former public servant may not assist or represent a party, other than the City, in a case, contract, or other specific matter for compensation if:
(1)
the matter involves City government; and
(2)
the former public servant significantly participated in the same matter as a public servant.
(b)Additional restrictions on former elected officials.
(1)
Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a former elected official may not assist or represent another party for compensation in any matter that is the subject of legislative action for 1 calendar year from the date the elected official leaves office.
(2)
Paragraph (1) of this subsection does not apply to a former elected official’s representation of a municipal corporation, county, or State governmental entity.
History: Ord. 04-795
History: Ord. 11-484
History: Ord. 19-239
Balt., Md., Code art. 8, § 6-23 to 6-25 (2026)
§§ 6-23 to 6-25LinkCopy Citation
Reserved