Conflict of Interest Law
MGL 268A - The Conflict of Interest Law as Amended by c. 20, Acts of 2009
The recently enacted ethics reform law, imposes new mandatory education and training requirement for public employees. The new requirements can be summarized as follows: Every state, county, and municipal (town and school) employeemust be given a summary of the conflict of interest lawprepared by the Ethics Commission andmust complete an online training programprepared by the Commission.
Who is considered a public employee?
Everyone who performs services for, or holds an office or position with, a state, county, or municipal agency is subject to the conflict of interest law. This is true whether the person is paid or unpaid, is a volunteer, works part-time, is employed only for part of the year or on a seasonal basis, contractors, or is a "special" employee.
Request Advice from the State Ethics Commission Legal Division
Requirements Overview
In a Nutshell
What is Required for the New Conflict of Interest
All Employees with Exceptions (see below):
Required Every Year:
Summary of the Conflict of Interest Law for Municipal Employees (Read)
Acknowledgement Receipt (Fill out the Acknowledgement Receipt)
Required Every Two Years:
On-Line Training Conflict of Interest On-line Training
Send 2 copies of Completed Training Certificate to Human Resources
Positions Exempted
Substitutes (Teachers, Food Service Workers, Custodians, Nurse, Collin Center)
Coaches
Poll-workers
Temporary-Seasonal Positions in a non-supervisory role
Students participating in work-study employment
Unpaid volunteers who do not have or exercise governmental authority and do not participate in government decision-making
If you don't know if your position is exempt or not, please contact Human Resources at (978) 623-8530.