§ 36-14-6. Statement of conflict of interest.
Any person subject to this code of ethics who, in the discharge of his or her official duties, is or may be required to take an action, make a decision, or refrain therefrom that will or can reasonably be expected to directly result in an economic benefit to the person, or spouse (if not estranged), or any dependent child of the person, or business associate or any business by which the person is employed or which the person represents, shall, before taking any such action or refraining therefrom:
(1) Prepare a written statement sworn to under the penalties for perjury describing the matter requiring action and the nature of the potential conflict; if he or she is a member of a legislative body and he or she does not request that he or she be excused from voting, deliberating, or taking action on the matter, the statement shall state why, despite the potential conflict, he or she is able to vote and otherwise participate fairly, objectively, and in the public interest; and
(2) Deliver a copy of the statement to the commission, and:
(i) If he or she is a member of the general assembly or of any city or town legislative body, he or she shall deliver a copy of the statement to the presiding officer of the body, who shall cause the statement to be recorded in the journal of the body and, upon request of the member, may excuse the member from votes, deliberations, or any other action on the matter on which a potential conflict exists; or
(ii) If the person is not a legislator, his or her superior, if any, shall, if reasonably possible, assign the matter to another person who does not have a conflict of interest. If he or she has no immediate superior, he or she shall take such steps as the commission shall prescribe through rules or regulations to remove him or herself from influence over any action on the matter on which the conflict of interest exists.
History of Section.P.L. 1987, ch. 195, § 3.
Structure Rhode Island General Laws
Title 36 - Public Officers and Employees
Chapter 36-14 - Code of Ethics
Section 36-14-1. - Declaration of policy.
Section 36-14-2. - Definitions.
Section 36-14-3. - Code of ethics.
Section 36-14-4. - Persons subject to the code of ethics.
Section 36-14-5. - Prohibited activities.
Section 36-14-6. - Statement of conflict of interest.
Section 36-14-7. - Interest in conflict with discharge of duties.
Section 36-14-9. - Administrative powers of the commission.
Section 36-14-10. - Educational powers of the commission.
Section 36-14-10.1. - Continuing ethics education.
Section 36-14-11. - Advisory powers of the commission.
Section 36-14-12. - Investigative powers of the commission.
Section 36-14-13. - Adjudicative powers of the commission.
Section 36-14-14. - Removal powers of the commission.
Section 36-14-15. - Judicial review.
Section 36-14-16. - Financial statement to be filed.
Section 36-14-17. - Content of financial statement.
Section 36-14-18. - Disclosure of regulated business interests.
Section 36-14-19. - Penalties.