40A:9-22.15. County code of ethics established

Within 90 days after the establishment of a county ethics board, that ethics board shall promulgate, by resolution, a county code of ethics for all local government officers and employees serving the county. Local government officers and employees serving a county independent authority shall be deemed to be serving the county for purposes of this act.

The county code of ethics so promulgated shall be either identical to the provisions set forth in section 5 of this act or more restrictive, but shall not be less restrictive. Within 15 days following the promulgation thereof, the county code of ethics, and a notice of the date of the public hearing to be held thereon, shall be published in at least one newspaper circulating within the county and shall be distributed to the county clerk and to the heads of the local government agencies serving the county for circulation among the local government officers and employees serving the county. The county ethics board shall hold a public hearing on the county code of ethics not less than 30 days following its promulgation at which any local government officer or employee serving the county and any other person wishing to be heard shall be permitted to testify. As a result of the hearing, the ethics board may amend or supplement the county code of ethics as it deems necessary. If the county code of ethics is not identical to the provisions set forth in section 5 of this act, the county ethics board shall thereafter submit the county code of ethics to the Local Finance Board for approval. The board shall approve or disapprove a county code of ethics within 60 days following receipt. If the board fails to act within that period, the county code of ethics shall be deemed approved. A county code of ethics requiring board approval shall take effect for all local government officers and employees serving the county 60 days after approval by the board. A county code of ethics identical to the provisions set forth in section 5 of this act shall take effect 10 days after the public hearing thereon. The county ethics board shall forward a copy of the county code of ethics to the county clerk and shall make copies of the county code of ethics available to local government officers and employees serving the county.

L.1991,c.29,s.15.