Raised Bill No. 237 Summary

• Amends Connecticut's state code of ethics to include conflicts of interest involving a public official's or state employee's nonstate employer or spouse's employer in addition to state employment interests.

• Requires elected state officials with substantial conflicts regarding their other employer to either recuse themselves or file a written statement signed under penalty of false statement explaining why they can vote fairly and objectively on the matter, then submit to the Office of State Ethics and agency records.

• Expands the definition of financial interests subject to conflict of interest rules to explicitly include "employer other than the state" and "employer of the official's or employee's spouse" for both elected and non-elected officials.

• Requires state regulatory agency members with potential conflicts involving their nonstate employer to either recuse themselves or file a written statement explaining their ability to act fairly; non-regulatory agency employees must report conflicts to their immediate superior for reassignment.

• Takes effect October 1, 2020 and amends Connecticut General Statutes sections 1-85 and 1-86(a).