42 IAC 1-2-1 Purpose

Sec. 1. (a) This section: (1) is intended as a guide to those under the jurisdiction of the state ethics commission; (2) is not a basis for sanctions by the state ethics commission; (3) is aspirational in character; and (4) represents the objective toward which every public servant should strive. 42 IAC 1-3 through 42 IAC 1-5 are mandatory in character and state minimum levels of conduct below which those under the jurisdiction of the state ethics commission may not fall without being subject to sanctions by the state ethics commission. (b) The purpose of this article is to set ethical standards for: (1) the official conduct of the current and former officers, employees, and special state appointees of the executive and administrative branches of state government; and (2) persons who have or had a business relationship with an agency; so that the general public will have confidence that the conduct of state business is always conducive to the public good. This article promotes the principle that public office is a public trust where government is based upon the consent of its citizens who are entitled to have complete confidence in the integrity of their government. Thus, the business of the state will be conducted in such a manner as to reassure the citizens of Indiana that the character and conduct of its officials, employees, and special state appointees are above reproach. (c) Public confidence in the integrity of government is essential to the exercise of good government. Accordingly, those persons under the jurisdiction of the state ethics commission should be committed to the following goals: (1) Duties should be carried out impartially. (2) Decisions and policy should not be made outside of proper channels of state government. (3) Public office should not be used for private gain. (4) Actions, transactions, or involvements should not be performed or engaged in which have the potential to become a conflict of interest. (d) This article is not meant to unduly restrict or limit the behavior of the officers, employees, and special state appointees of this state during the time when they are not on duty. Each state officer, employee, and special state appointee retains lawful rights and privileges as a private citizen to interests of a personal or private financial nature. These rights and privileges will be honored by the commission to the extent that they are compatible with an individual's public office or employment.