Fact Sheets
Ethics Law and Advisory Opinions explained in plain language
Ohio Ethics Law and Ohio Ethics Commission Fact Sheet
Provides a summary of the Ohio Ethics Law and describes the work of the Ohio Ethics Commission, including advice, training, and investigations. Also, offers alternative contacts for issues outside the Ohio Ethics Commission’s jurisdiction.
Ohio Ethics Law Overview Fact Sheet
This document makes the law easy to understand by explaining it in simple terms. The document also contains examples, links to fact sheets, and advisory opinions that make the Ethics Law understandable and relatable.
Ohio Ethics Law and Related Statutes
The full, unabridged text of the Ohio Ethics Law and related statutes. Unlike the summary and overview materials, this document contains the actual statutory language governing public officials and employees. Public agencies are required to provide this document to new officials and employees within 15 days of beginning their duties.
Conflicts of Interest Fact Sheet
In-depth view of prohibitions on public officials or employees taking official action or making decisions in matters that definitely and directly affect themselves, their family members, or their business associates. Includes discussion of regulatory matters, property matters, dual public service, representation restrictions, sales to public agencies, and much more.
- Table of Contents
- Overview of Conflicts of Interest
- Regulatory Matter Affecting a Public Official or Employee
- Holding Two Public Positions (aka Dual Public Service)
- Public Officials & Employees Serving on External Boards
- Property Matter Affecting Public Officials/Employees & Their Families
- Public Servants and Outside Businesses
- Rendering Services on a Matter Before Another Public Agency
- State Officials Rendering Services
- State Officials and Employees Selling Goods and Services
- Local Officials and Employees Rendering Services
- Exception for Non-Elected Officials
Gifts and Other Things of Value Fact Sheet
A summary of gift prohibitions under the Ohio Ethics Law for the public and private sectors. Topics covered include general restrictions, donations, discounts, travel issues, supplemental compensation, and much more.
- Table of Contents
- General Gift Prohibitions
- The Ethics Law and Tickets
- Conferences and the Ohio Ethics Law
- The Holidays and the Ohio Ethics Law
- When is a Gift a Donation?
- The Ohio Ethics Law and Discounts
- Other Considerations
- The Travel Question
- Gifts and Specific Professions
- Financial Disclosure and Gifts
- Gifts and the Private Sector
- Supplemental Compensation
Public Contracts Fact Sheet
A detailed look at all things public contracts. General prohibitions, grants, sales to public agencies, and hiring/supervising family members are just a few of the topics discussed in this valuable resource.
Revolving Door Law Fact Sheet
Your “go to” document when you are thinking about your next steps, whether that is retirement or leaving one governmental entity for another. This fact sheet provides a helpful overview of restrictions on government job-seeking as well as prohibitions after leaving public service.
Financial Disclosure
Outlines requirements regarding financial disclosure statements, which are annual reports filed by many public officials and employees. Includes information regarding who files, when, and required information on the form.
Financial Disclosure Statements Frequently Asked Questions
The most commonly asked questions on how to complete the financial disclosure form and other helpful information.
Specific Public Professions and Roles Fact Sheet
Explores how the Ohio Ethics Law applies to specific public professions, including public retirement systems, the Ohio Casino Control Commission, and volunteer firefighters. More in-depth resources for public school districts and public universities/colleges.
The Ohio Ethics Law 101: The Ethics Toolkit for Public School Districts
An outline of the Ethics Law for officials and employees who work for, or serve, public school districts in Ohio.
The Ohio Ethics Law for Public Universities & Colleges
An outline of the Ethics Law for officials and employees who work for, or serve, public colleges and universities in Ohio.
The Private Sector
Guidance for private sector entities that are regulated by or do business with governmental offices. Discusses interactions between public agencies and private companies and addresses some of the most frequently asked questions from private sector entities regarding the Ohio Ethics Law.
Model Ethics Policies
Model ethics policies for state and local governments that have been endorsed by the Ohio Ethics Commission. The Commission encourages state agencies and local jurisdictions to use and distribute the policy to communicate the general terms of the Ethics Law.
Please note that, although the model policies communicate the general terms of the Ethics Law, they do not replace the Ethics Law statutes, which control the conduct of all public officials and employees within the state of Ohio. We recommend the appropriate policy be distributed along with a copy of The Ohio Ethics Law And Related Statutes, if a jurisdiction or agency chooses to uses the policy. (The Ethics Law requires that each public agency provide a copy of The Ohio Ethics Law And Related Statutes to each public official or employee serving the agency within 15 days of hire, election, or appointment. Each official or employee must acknowledge receipt in writing.)