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Tracey Paliath serves as the Executive Director of the Baltimore County Ethics Commission, the first person to hold the position since the Ethics Office was separated from the Baltimore County Office of the Inspector General following the issuance of a Blue Ribbon Commission report that recommended that this action.

 

Public Ethics Law Summary

Public Ethics Laws promote the public’s trust in government and ensure the impartiality of public employees in the exercise of their duties and responsibilities. Read a summary of the Public Ethics Law contained in Article 7 of the Baltimore County Code, which applies to all County officials, employees, members of certain boards and commissions, and lobbyists.

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.

News

View updates, news and media from the Ethics Commission.

  • 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.
  • View a list of FY2022 vendors and contracts doing business with Baltimore County, provided pursuant to Article 7-1-101(f). To ensure compliance with disclosure requirements and other ethics laws, if you have a question about an entity whose name does not appear on the list, contact the Ethics Commission.

Members

About the Executive Director

A native of Baltimore County, Tracey Paliath attended the University of Maryland, College Park where she received her B.A. in English and was a commencement speaker. Tracey then went on to receive her Juris Doctor from the University of Maryland School of Law. Following a federal clerkship for the Honorable Marvin J. Garbis at the U.S. District Court for the District of Maryland, Tracey worked at a couple of private law firms before beginning a career in state government and nonprofit organizations.

  • Served as the Assistant Director of the Baltimore City Department of Social Services
  • Served as the Deputy Secretary of the Maryland Department of Human Services
  • Worked for The Associated: Jewish Federation of Baltimore as the Director of Economic Services for Jewish Community Services
  • Worked as a lobbyist for providers of services to people with intellectual disabilities

In addition to her work experience, Tracey was selected as one of Maryland’s "Top 100 Women" and as a "Top 40 Professional Under 40."

Other 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 3:30 p.m.

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.

Explore the Ethics Commission

 

Contact Us

Ethics Commission

Historic Courthouse
Room T105
400 Washington Avenue
Towson, Maryland 21204

Hours

Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Fax

410-296-0931