§ 4-2-7-5 — Code of ethics; use of state property for political purpose; filing ethics complaint

Indiana § 4-2-7-5

• Jurisdiction: Indiana
• Art. 2: STATE OFFICERS GENERALLY
• Ch. 7: The Inspector General

Text

(a) The inspector general shall adopt rules under
IC 4-22-2 establishing a code of ethics for the conduct of state
business. The code of ethics must be consistent with Indiana law.
(b) The code of ethics must, except as provided in subsection (c),
prohibit the following:
(1) A state officer, an employee, or a special state appointee from
using state materials, funds, property, personnel, facilities, or
equipment for a political purpose.
(2) Adoption of policies or regulations that authorize a state
officer, an employee, or a special state appointee to use state
materials, funds, property, personnel, facilities, or equipment for
a political purpose.
For purposes of this section, "political purpose" does not include the
handling or disposing of unsolicited political communications.
(c) A state officer or an individual designated by the state officer
may use state materials, funds, property, personnel, facilities, or
equipment for the following:
(1) To coordinate the state officer's official, personal, and political
calendars.
(2) To provide transportation and security for:
(A) the state officer; and
(B) any employee or special state appointee who accompanies
the state officer.
(3) Incidental or de minimus political communications or activity
involving the state officer.
(d) If the inspector general investigates and determines that there is
specific and credible evidence that a current or former employee, a
current or former state officer, a current or former special state
appointee, or a person who has or had a business relationship with an
agency has violated the code of ethics, the inspector general may:
(1) file a complaint with the ethics commission and represent the
state in a public proceeding before the ethics commission as
prescribed in IC 4-2-6-4; or
(2) file a complaint with the ethics commission and negotiate an
agreed settlement for approval by the ethics commission
according to its rules.

Legislative History

As added by P.L.222-2005, SEC.14. Amended by P.L.123-2015, SEC.27.