§ 5-521

(a) The Joint Ethics Committee may make a finding developed from:

(1) information presented during the hearing;

(2) the allegation summary and any amendments to it;

(3) the written answer of the accused legislator to the allegation summary, if any; and

(4) any other information provided to the Joint Ethics Committee and made available to the accused legislator.

(b) Consistent with the purposes of this title, the Joint Ethics Committee may establish criteria for making a finding in its written procedures established under § 5–520(a) of this subtitle.

(c) If the Joint Ethics Committee makes a finding under this section, the Joint Ethics Committee shall:

(1) terminate the proceeding against the accused legislator; or

(2) issue any recommendations to the presiding officer of the house of the accused legislator or to the full house of the accused legislator, including any recommendations for appropriate sanctions.