reglab/housing_qa huggingface dataset:
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-518.1 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 5 - Conflicts of Interest|Part II - Special Legislative Provisions|Section 5-518.1 - Investigation of Violations of Antiharassment Policies and Procedures of General Assembly or Retaliation Against Individuals Reporting Violations

    (a)    Unless the alleged victim objects, the Joint Ethics Committee shall refer a complaint for evaluation to an outside and independent investigator selected by the Joint Ethics Committee if the complaint alleges that a member of the General Assembly has:        (1)    violated the antiharassment policy and procedures of the General Assembly; or        (2)    retaliated against an individual for reporting or participating in the investigation of a violation of the antiharassment policy and procedures of the General Assembly.    (b)    The investigator shall submit its findings and recommendations regarding a complaint evaluated under subsection (a) of this section to the Joint Ethics Committee.    (c)    (1)    If the investigator does not recommend dismissal of the complaint after completing the evaluation, the investigator shall investigate the complaint.        (2)    After the investigator completes the evaluation and at the recommendation of the investigator, the Joint Ethics Committee may dismiss a complaint before the completion of an investigation.    (d)    The investigator shall submit its findings and recommendations regarding a complaint investigated under subsection (c)(1) of this section to the Joint Ethics Committee for further proceedings in accordance with this subtitle.    (e)    The Joint Ethics Committee shall advise the complainant of the findings and recommendations of the investigator and provide, in accordance with § 5–518(b)(2) of this subtitle, a notice of the Joint Ethics Committee’s actions.    (f)    (1)    The Joint Ethics Committee may remove an outside and independent investigator selected under this subsection only for good cause.        (2)    If the Joint Ethics Committee refers a matter to a prosecuting authority, the Joint Ethics Committee may direct an outside and independent investigator to delay an investigation at the request of a prosecuting authority.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-519 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 5 - Conflicts of Interest|Part II - Special Legislative Provisions|Section 5-519 - Allegation Summary

    (a)    (1)    Except as to proceedings terminated in accordance with § 5–518(b) of this subtitle, the Joint Ethics Committee shall provide to the accused legislator a copy of:            (i)    the complaint filed or prepared in accordance with § 5–516 of this subtitle; and            (ii)    the allegation summary prepared in accordance with § 5–518(c) of this subtitle.        (2)    The accused legislator shall be allowed an opportunity to file a written answer to the allegation summary.    (b)    Following notification of the accused legislator, the Joint Ethics Committee may:        (1)    terminate the proceedings; or        (2)    schedule a hearing and notify the accused legislator of the time, location, and procedures of the hearing.    (c)    (1)    The Joint Ethics Committee may amend the allegation summary at any time.        (2)    If an allegation summary is amended under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the accused legislator shall be allowed an opportunity to file a written answer to the amended allegation summary.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-521 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 5 - Conflicts of Interest|Part II - Special Legislative Provisions|Section 5-521 - Findings

    (a)    The Joint Ethics Committee may make a finding developed from:        (1)    information presented during the hearing;        (2)    the allegation summary and any amendments to it;        (3)    the written answer of the accused legislator to the allegation summary, if any; and        (4)    any other information provided to the Joint Ethics Committee and made available to the accused legislator.    (b)    Consistent with the purposes of this title, the Joint Ethics Committee may establish criteria for making a finding in its written procedures established under § 5–520(a) of this subtitle.    (c)    If the Joint Ethics Committee makes a finding under this section, the Joint Ethics Committee shall:        (1)    terminate the proceeding against the accused legislator; or        (2)    issue any recommendations to the presiding officer of the house of the accused legislator or to the full house of the accused legislator, including any recommendations for appropriate sanctions.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-522 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 5 - Conflicts of Interest|Part II - Special Legislative Provisions|Section 5-522 - Referral to Prosecutorial Authorities

    If the Joint Ethics Committee, at any time during its consideration of any complaint or allegation summary or during any proceeding, finds that there are reasonable grounds to believe that a legislator may have committed a crime, the Joint Ethics Committee shall:        (1)    refer the matter to an appropriate prosecuting authority; and        (2)    provide any information or evidence to the prosecuting authority that the Joint Ethics Committee determines is appropriate.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-801 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part I - General Provisions|Section 5-801 - Definitions

    (a)    In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.    (b)    “Lobbying” means performing acts, of a nature comparable to acts requiring registration under Subtitle 7 of this title, before the local government involved.    (c)    (1)    In Baltimore City, “local official” includes:            (i)    city employees and officials of the Baltimore City Health Department;            (ii)    the Police Commissioner of Baltimore City and the civilian employees and police officers of the Police Department of Baltimore City; and            (iii)    members and employees of the Civilian Review Board.        (2)    In Baltimore County, “local official” includes:            (i)    board members and the chief executive of the Baltimore County Revenue Authority; and            (ii)    for the purpose of the financial disclosure provisions enacted by the governing body of Baltimore County, except for a member of the Baltimore County Board of Education, members of a board of a State agency that is wholly or partly funded by Baltimore County, regardless of whether a member is compensated.        (3)    In Montgomery County, “local official” includes:            (i)    members and employees of the Montgomery County Revenue Authority;            (ii)    commissioners and employees of the Montgomery County Housing Opportunities Commission; and            (iii)    county employees of the Montgomery County Department of Health and Human Services.        (4)    In St. Mary’s County, “local official” includes commissioners and employees of the St. Mary’s County Metropolitan Commission.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-804 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-804 - "Elected Local Official" Defined

    In this part, “elected local official” includes:        (1)    an individual who holds an elective office of a county or municipal corporation; and        (2)    a candidate for elective office as a local official of a county or municipal corporation.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-805 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-805 - Scope of Part

    This part does not apply to an official or employee of the Judicial Branch of State government.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-806 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-806 - Effect on Other Provisions of Law

    The express powers contained in Title 5, Subtitle 2 and Title 10 of the Local Government Article and in Article II of the Charter of the City of Baltimore are intended and shall be deemed to incorporate and include the power and authority contained in this part.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-807 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-807 - Public Ethics Laws Required; Duties

    (a)    Subject to § 5–209 of this title, each county and each municipal corporation shall enact provisions to govern the public ethics of local officials relating to:        (1)    conflicts of interest;        (2)    financial disclosure; and        (3)    lobbying.    (b)    Each local ethics commission or appropriate entity shall meet at least one time each year.    (c)    On or before October 1 of each year, each local ethics commission or appropriate entity shall:        (1)    certify to the Ethics Commission that the county or municipal corporation is in compliance with the requirements of this part for elected local officials; and        (2)    submit to the local governing body a report on the administration of the local public ethics laws by the local ethics commission or appropriate entity that includes:            (i)    the number of meetings held during the past year;            (ii)    written copies of meeting agendas and minutes from each meeting held;            (iii)    a copy of the signed and dated attendance sheet from each meeting held; and            (iv)    any other documents or information determined by the local ethics commission or appropriate entity to show the work performed during the previous year.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-808 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-808 - Conflict of Interest Laws

    (a)    Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, the conflict of interest provisions enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle:        (1)    shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 5 of this title; but        (2)    in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction.    (b)    The conflict of interest provisions for elected local officials enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle:        (1)    shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 5 of this title; but        (2)    in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-809 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-809 - Financial Disclosure Laws

    (a)    In this section, “local official” includes an individual who is designated as a local official and whose position is funded wholly or partly by the State.    (b)    (1)    Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3) of this subsection and subsection (c) of this section, the financial disclosure provisions enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle:            (i)    shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 6 of this title; but            (ii)    in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may 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 § 5–807 of this subtitle:            (i)    shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 6 of this title; but            (ii)    in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that jurisdiction.        (3)    The financial disclosure provisions for members of the Board of License Commissioners for Prince George’s County enacted by Prince George’s County under § 5–807 of this subtitle shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 6 of this title.    (c)    (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 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.        (2)    The governing body of a county or municipal corporation shall require a local official to file a financial disclosure statement at least annually to report on gifts received by the local official.        (3)    The financial disclosure provisions shall require that a statement be filed:            (i)    under paragraph (1) of this subsection sufficiently in advance of the action to provide adequate disclosure to the public; and            (ii)    by an elected local official under subsection (b)(2) of this section on or before April 30 of each year.    (d)    Financial disclosure provisions applicable to a candidate shall be consistent with the provisions applicable to an incumbent holding the office involved.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-810 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-810 - Lobbying

    The lobbying provisions enacted by a county or municipal corporation under § 5–807 of this subtitle:        (1)    shall be substantially similar to the provisions of Subtitle 7 of this title; but        (2)    (i)    shall be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to that jurisdiction; and            (ii)    may be further modified to the extent considered necessary and appropriate by and for that jurisdiction.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-811 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-811 - Special Provisions for Prince George's County

    (a)    This section applies only to Prince George’s County.    (b)    (1)    The conflict of interest provisions required under § 5–807(a)(1) of this subtitle shall prohibit:            (i)    the county government from issuing a credit card to an elected county official or a member of the county school board; and            (ii)    an elected county official from directly or indirectly soliciting a person to enter into a business relationship with or provide anything of monetary value to a specific individual or entity if the person being solicited is seeking:                1.    the success or defeat of county legislation;                2.    a county contract; or                3.    any other county benefit.        (2)    A conflict of interest provision enacted in accordance with paragraph (1)(ii) of this subsection may not be construed to affect the validity of any legally enacted requirement or condition, proposed and adopted on the public record at a public hearing, the purpose of which is to mitigate the impact of a development on the property owners in the areas surrounding the development, including:            (i)    an adequate public facilities requirement;            (ii)    a minority business requirement; or            (iii)    a community benefit requirement.    (c)    The lobbying provisions required under § 5–807(a)(3) of this subtitle shall prohibit a person from being engaged for lobbying purposes for compensation that is dependent in any manner on the outcome of executive action or legislative action before the county government.    (d)    The county’s ethics enactments shall provide for:        (1)    a county board of ethics that meets at least two times each year and is composed of five members appointed by the county executive, with the advice and consent of the county council; and        (2)    an executive director of the board of ethics who:            (i)    shall meet individually with each elected county official at least annually to advise the official regarding the requirements of any applicable ethics law, rule, or standard of conduct;            (ii)    shall assist each elected county official in preparing any affidavit or other document required to be filed under the county’s ethics enactments;            (iii)    shall conduct ethics–related briefings for the benefit of elected officials of the county; and            (iv)    may provide information to any person regarding laws, rules, and other standards of ethical conduct applicable to elected county officials.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-812 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part II - Public Ethics Laws for Counties and Municipal Corporations|Section 5-812 - Enforcement of This Part

    (a)    If the Ethics Commission determines that a county or municipal corporation has not complied with and has not made good–faith efforts toward compliance with the requirements of this part, the Ethics Commission:        (1)    may issue a public notice concerning the failure of compliance with this part, including a listing of specific areas of noncompliance; and        (2)    may petition a circuit court with venue over the proceeding for appropriate relief to compel compliance.    (b)    The circuit court may grant any available equitable relief.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-815 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part III - Local Boards of Education|Section 5-815 - Scope of Part

    This part governs the conflict of interest standards, financial disclosure requirements, and lobbying regulations of school systems.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-816 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part III - Local Boards of Education|Section 5-816 - Conflicts of Interest

    (a)    In accordance with this section, a school board:        (1)    may adopt conflict of interest regulations applicable to officials and employees of the school system; and        (2)    shall adopt conflict of interest regulations applicable to members of the school board.    (b)    (1)    The conflict of interest regulations adopted by a school board under subsection (a)(1) of this section:            (i)    shall be similar to the provisions of Subtitle 5 of this title; but            (ii)    in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the regulations relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that school system.        (2)    The conflict of interest regulations adopted by a school board under subsection (a)(2) of this section:            (i)    shall be equivalent to or exceed the requirements of Subtitle 5 of this title; but            (ii)    in accordance with regulations adopted by the Ethics Commission and consistent with the intent of this title, may be modified to the extent necessary to make the regulations relevant to the prevention of conflicts of interest in that school system.    (c)    Unless a school board adopts and maintains conflict of interest regulations under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the provisions enacted by the county under § 5–808 of this subtitle shall apply to officials and employees of that school system.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-818 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part III - Local Boards of Education|Section 5-818 - Lobbying

    (a)    In accordance with this section, a school board may adopt regulations relating to lobbying of members of the school board and of officials and employees of the school system.    (b)    The lobbying regulations adopted by a school board under subsection (a) of this section:        (1)    shall be substantially similar to the provisions of Subtitle 7 of this title; but        (2)    (i)    may be modified to the extent necessary to make the provisions relevant to that school system; and            (ii)    may be further modified to the extent considered necessary and appropriate by and for that school system.    (c)    Unless a school board adopts and maintains lobbying regulations under this subtitle, the provisions enacted by the county under § 5–810 of this subtitle shall apply to that school system.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-819 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part III - Local Boards of Education|Section 5-819 - Approval of Regulations

    (a)    A school board shall submit regulations adopted under this part, and amendments to adopted regulations, to the Ethics Commission for review and approval or disapproval.    (b)    If the Ethics Commission does not disapprove a regulation or an amendment to a regulation within 60 days after its submission, the regulation or amendment is deemed to have been approved and becomes effective.    (c)    (1)    The Ethics Commission may disapprove a regulation or an amendment to a regulation only if the Ethics Commission finds that the regulation or amendment is not in substantial compliance with this part.        (2)    If the Ethics Commission disapproves a regulation or an amendment, the Ethics Commission shall promptly notify the school board of the action.    (d)    On request of a school board, the Ethics Commission shall advise and assist the school board in preparing regulations that comply with this part.
MD. General Provisions Code Ann. §  5-820 (2021)
2021 Maryland Statutes|General Provisions|Title 5 - Maryland Public Ethics Law|Subtitle 8 - Local Government Provisions|Part III - Local Boards of Education|Section 5-820 - Enforcement of This Part

    (a)    If the Ethics Commission determines that a school board, as required under § 5–816(a)(2) of this subtitle, has not complied with and has not made good–faith efforts toward compliance with the requirements of this Part III, the Ethics Commission:        (1)    may issue a public notice concerning the failure of compliance with this part, including a listing of specific areas of noncompliance;        (2)    may issue an order providing that officials and employees of the school board are subject to the local ethics laws in the county in which the school board is located; and        (3)    may petition a circuit court with venue over the proceeding for appropriate relief to compel compliance.    (b)    The circuit court may grant any available equitable relief.