Ethics Commission

Baltimore County Ethics Commission
Historic Courthouse, Room 219
400 Washington Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204
Phone: 410-887-5904
Fax: 410-296-0931
Email: ethicscommission@baltimorecountymd.gov

The Ethics Commission is tasked with administering the Public Ethics Laws which promote public’s trust in government and ensuring the impartiality of public employees in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities. The Commission also gives ethics advice, issues advisory opinions, and provides ethics and lobbyist training. View Section 3-3-10 of the Baltimore County Code regarding the Ethics Commission.

Public Ethics Law Summary

Read a summary of the Public Ethics Law (PDF) contained in Article 7 of the Baltimore County Code, which applies to all County officials, employees, members of certain boards and commissions, and lobbyists. 

News

View updates, news and media from the Ethics Commission. The links are PDFs that open in a new window.

• Read the reprimand relating to a Planning Board member.
• Review the details of the financial and in-kind COVID-19 donations received by the County.

Members

Meetings

The Commission is required to meet regularly, at least 10 times each year, and when required by the chairman or a majority of the members of the Commission (Section 3-3-1004, Baltimore County Code, 2015). Except as otherwise noted, the Commission meets the first Tuesday of each month at 3 p.m. The Commission does not usually meet in July and December.

When the Commission is discussing certain matters, including, but not limited to, review of financial disclosure statements, an Advisory Opinion or a Complaint, it is engaging in an “administrative function,” which is defined under the state Open Meetings Act as “the administration of ... a law of a political subdivision of the state.” Section 3-101(b) of the General Provisions Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland (GP). The Open Meetings Act “does not apply to … a public body when it is carrying out … an administrative function.” GP Section 3-103(a)(1)(i). The Commission may recess and close an open session when it engages in an administrative function.

Upcoming

To view upcoming meeting details and documents, select from the list below.

Although a new member's term by Code begins on July 1, per Baltimore County Code § 3-3-103(b)(1), "At the end of a term, an elected or appointed member, director, or trustee of a board, commission, committee, panel or foundation established under this title continues to serve until a successor is appointed or elected and qualifies."

Please note that appointed members to certain boards or commissions are required to file an annual disclosure statement. This requirement is mandated by statute.

Decisions and Opinions

The Commission has the authority to issue decisions and advisory opinions on the application of the Ethics Code to circumstances described in a written request. The links on this page are PDFs that open in a new window.