Massachusetts General Laws
Chapter 268a - Conduct of Public Officials and Employees
Section 22 - Opinions of Corporation Counsel, City Solicitor or Town Counsel

Section 22. Any municipal employee shall be entitled to the opinion of the corporation counsel, city solicitor or town counsel upon any question arising under this chapter relating to the duties, responsibilities and interests of such employee. All requests for such opinions by a subordinate municipal employee shall be made in confidence directly to the chief officer of the municipal agency in which he is employed, who shall in turn request in confidence such opinion of the corporation counsel, city solicitor or town counsel on behalf of such subordinate municipal employee, and all constitutional officers and chief officers or heads of municipal agencies may make direct confidential requests for such opinions on their own account. The town counsel or city solicitor shall file such opinion in writing with the city or town clerk and such opinion shall be a matter of public record; however, no opinion will be rendered by the town counsel or city solicitor except upon the submission of detailed existing facts which raise a question of actual or prospective violation of any provision of this chapter.

Structure Massachusetts General Laws

Massachusetts General Laws

Part IV - Crimes, Punishments and Proceedings in Criminal Cases

Title I - Crimes and Punishments

Chapter 268a - Conduct of Public Officials and Employees

Section 1 - Definitions

Section 2 - Corrupt Gifts, Offers or Promises to Influence Official Acts; Corruption of Witnesses

Section 3 - Gifts, Offers or Promises for Acts Performed or to Be Performed; Corruption of Witnesses; Solicitation of Gifts; Witness Fees; Regulations

Section 4 - Other Compensation; Offer, Gift, Receipt or Request; Acting as Agent or Attorney for Other Than State; Legislators; Special State Employees

Section 5 - Former State Employees; Acting as Agent or Attorney or Receiving Compensation; Partners of State Employees or Legislators

Section 6 - Financial Interest of State Employee, Relative or Associates; Disclosure

Section 6a - Conflict of Interest of Public Official; Reporting Requirement

Section 6b - Candidates for Employment as State Employee; Disclosure of Relation to State Employee

Section 7 - Financial Interest in Contracts of State Agency; Application of Section

Section 8 - Public Building or Construction Contracts

Section 8a - Members of State Commissions or Boards; Prohibited Appointments to Other Positions

Section 8b - Members of Commonwealth Utilities Commission; Prohibited Lobbying Activities

Section 9 - Avoiding, Rescinding or Canceling State Agency Actions Resulting From Violations of Chapter; Restitution and Damages

Section 10 - Opinions of State Ethics Commission

Section 11 - County Employees; Receiving or Requesting Compensation From, or Acting as Agent or Attorney for Other Than County Agency

Section 12 - Former County Employees; Acting as Attorney or Receiving Compensation From Other Than County; Partners of Employees or Former Employees or Legislators

Section 13 - Financial Interest of County Employee, Relatives or Associates; Disclosure

Section 14 - County Employees; Financial Interest in Contracts of County Agency

Section 15 - Avoiding, Rescinding or Canceling County Agency Actions Resulting From Violations of Chapter; Restitution and Damages

Section 15a - Members of County Commission or Board; Restrictions on Appointments to Certain Positions

Section 17 - Municipal Employees; Gift or Receipt of Compensation From Other Than Municipality; Acting as Agent or Attorney

Section 18 - Former Municipal Employee; Acting as Attorney or Receiving Compensation; From Other Than Municipality; Partners

Section 19 - Municipal Employees, Relatives or Associates; Financial Interest in Particular Matter

Section 20 - Municipal Employees; Financial Interest in Contracts; Holding One or More Elected Positions

Section 21 - Avoiding, Rescinding or Canceling Municipal Action Resulting From Violations of Chapter; Restitution and Damages

Section 21a - Members of Municipal Commission or Board; Restrictions on Appointments to Certain Positions

Section 21b - Prospective Municipal Appointees; Demanding Undated Resignations Prohibited

Section 22 - Opinions of Corporation Counsel, City Solicitor or Town Counsel

Section 23 - Supplemental Provisions; Standards of Conduct

Section 23a - Trustees of Public Institutions of Higher Learning; Prohibited Positions

Section 24 - Disclosures and Certifications; Form; Public Inspection

Section 25 - Suspension of Persons Under Indictment for Misconduct in Office; Notice; Compensation and Fringe Benefits; Temporary Replacements; Reinstatement

Section 26 - Penalty for Violations of Clause (B)(2) or (B)(4) of Sec. 23

Section 27 - Publication of Summaries of Chapter 268a; Filing of Acknowledgment by Employees

Section 28 - Online Training Programs

Section 29 - Municipal Liaisons to State Ethics Commission