Overview
Ethics Officers provide a critical function in assisting the thousands of State officers and employees in navigating the State's ethics laws. The Public Officers Law and JCOPE’s ethics regulations create legal obligations for both agencies and their officers and employees. For this reason, each agency should designate an Ethics Officer to provide guidance to these individuals on compliance with the ethics laws.
In addition, the Ethics Officer is responsible for ensuring that both the agency and its personnel comply with the legal obligations related to the following subjects:
• Requirements for Financial Disclosure Statement Filers (“FDS Filers”)
• Mandatory Ethics Training for FDS Filers
• Approvals for Outside Activities
• Approvals for Honoraria
• Approvals for Official Activity Expense Payments
• Acceptance of Gifts (including Widely Attended Event)
JCOPE is available as a resource to assist you in providing guidance to your agency on the ethics laws and regulations. We encourage you to contact us with questions or for confidential guidance on a specific matter.
Ethics Officer Reference Materials
-
Responsibilities of the Agency Ethics Officer
The Public Officers Law and JCOPE’s ethics regulations create legal obligations for both agencies and their officers and employees. For this reason, each agency should designate an Ethics Officer to provide guidance to these individuals on compliance with the ethics laws. This publication provides an overview of the role that Ethics Officers serve in that capacity. Revised 9/10/2018
Download
-
2019 Ethics and Lobbying in New York State: A Comprehensive Guide
This book will serve as a reference volume for practitioners and researchers, with extensive background on the ethics and lobbying laws in New York that the Joint Commission on Public Ethics oversees and provides information, education, and advice about.
Download
Publications for Employees
-
Quick Reference Guide to the State's Ethics Laws
A resource for those newly employed into State service. Provides an overview of the State's ethics laws including conflicts of interest, acceptance of gifts and outside employment. Recommended for distribution for all new public sector hires.
Download
-
Public Officers Law handbook for State Employees and Officials
This handbook contains in its entirety a comprehensive list of the State's ethics laws that apply to State officers and employees. Includes sections 73, 73-a, 74, 75, 76, 77 and 78 of the Public Officers Law which are required to those employees who must complete the Public Officers Law Section 78 Public Officer Oath/Affirmation provided by the New York Department of State.
Download
-
Plain Language Guide to the State's Ethics Laws
A comprehensive overview of the Public Officers Law and other related ethics laws, presented in a plain language format. This publication is also used as the participant guide for FDS filers required to attend mandatory ethics trainings. An excellent resource for those entering State service for the first time. Revised 8/26/2019
Download
-
JCOPE's Guide to the Gift Regulations for State Officers and Employees
Plain language guide to help state officers and employees navigate the gift restrictions.
Revised 5/11/2020
Download
-
The Post-Employment Restrictions
Plain language guide to the restrictions that State officers and employees face once they leave State service including the two-year bar, and lifetime bars. Revised 3/13/2019
Download
Ethics Reminders and Guidance
-
Ethics Reminder: Running for Public Office
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Exchanging Holiday Gifts
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Poll Workers
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: COVID-19 and Working from Home
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Officer Guidance on Rental Property
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically provides guidance to Ethics Officers on particular topics of interest. This document provides guidance on dealing with State employees who are policymakers and earn income through rental properties, and how that is impacted by regulations on outside activity.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Online Fundraising
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Ethics Training Obligations
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Student Interns and the Post-Employment Restrictions
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Accepting Textbooks
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: FDS Filings Due May 15
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Widely Attended Events
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Contracting with the State
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: What about the appearance?
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Campaign Season
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Nepotism
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Use of Agency Letterhead
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each Reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Work or volunteer outside the office?
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Tis the Season to Remember the Ethics Rules for Gifts
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Remember the 30-Day Rule
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Don't put former colleagues at risk
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
-
Ethics Reminder: Just say no thank you to gifts
The Joint Commission on Public Ethics periodically releases Ethics Reminders. Each reminder is a brief and easy to understand synopsis of the laws and rules under the Commission’s jurisdiction. Ethics Reminders are issued to assist those subject to the Commission’s jurisdiction in understanding and complying with their obligations under the law.
Download
Newsletters
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2020-2021 Fall/Winter Edition
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on the two-year bar and determining your former agency after a reorganization or merger of State agency units or departments.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2020 Summer Edition
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on stock ownership and potential conflicts of interest with a State position.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2019-2020 Fall/Winter Edition
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on the gift regulations and restrictions.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2019 Spring/Summer Edition
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on the two-year bar post-employment restrictions.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2018-2019 Fall/Winter Edition
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on social media posting.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2017-2018 Fall/Winter
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on the reverse two-year bar.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2017 Spring/Summer
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on post-employment restrictions.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2016-2017 Fall/Winter
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on the two-year and lifetime bars.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2016 Spring/Summer
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on charitable and political fundraising restrictions.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2015-2016 Fall/Winter
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on gift restrictions and exclusions.
Download
-
JCOPE Newsletter: 2014 Fall
This edition of "The Ethics Review" focuses on politics in the workplace.
Download
FDS Instructional Material
-
Financial Disclosure - An Overview on the Role of the Ethics Officer
Quick reference guide to the role of the Ethics Officer with respect to reporting and maintaining records for their respective agency with regards to the Financial Disclosure requirement as provided in Public Officers Law § 73-a.
Revised 1/16/2020
Download
-
Essential Functions of the JCOPE Online Filing System Presentation
PowerPoint training presentation used for the January 14, 2021 Ethics Forum on the FDS Online Filing System functions.
Download
Ethics Forum: FDS System Instructions
Video from Ethics Forum on January 14, 2021
Train-the Trainer Resources
Training Guidance for the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course ("CETC") and Ethics Seminar
Important Notes:
- In requesting these training materials, you agree to not hide or delete slides, or alter or modify content on the slides. You may, however, add new slides with agency-specific information without seeking further approval from JCOPE.
- The CETC satisfies the training requirements for both new filers and filers in need of refresher training. The Ethics Seminar was created as a refresher class and is only available to FDS filers who have previously completed the CETC.
How to deliver training
- These courses are written so they may be delivered by anyone familiar with NYS ethics laws. The person delivering the course should familiarize him/herself with both the presentation and the trainer notes before the first session. Each slide may be read verbatim, or paraphrased and summarized according to the needs of your participants. The trainer notes are designed to assist the trainer in understanding the flow of the material and the primary teaching points. The notes are a guide however, and do not need to be read verbatim.
- Each participant should receive a copy of the Plain Language Guide to the Ethics Laws (document available in "Publications for Employees" and "Train-the-Trainer Resources" sections). Where appropriate, the trainer notes indicate where training topics are found in the Guide.
- Different agencies often have their own internal ethics policies. Feel free to use this as an opportunity to share those additional policies with your staff.
- The CETC is designed to take two hours, and the Ethics Seminar is designed to take one and a half hours, but may take you less time depending on the number of participants and how many questions they have.
- It is suggested that you create a sign-in sheet or some other documented attendance record to help track training compliance within your agency. After the training is concluded, participants should be given a certificate of completion signed by your agency Ethics Officer.
Record Keeping
- Training completion dates should be entered into the JCOPE FDS Filing System in a timely manner. Monthly Late Training Reminder notices will continue to be sent to filers who have missed a training deadline until a training completion date has been entered into the system.
- Because the CETC satisfies the training requirements for both new filers and those in need of refresher training, you will need to identify which filers attended the CETC as refresher training, as these dates are entered into the FDS system separately as “Seminar/Refresher” training.
- If the person who conducts the training is also an FDS filer, then training these classes also counts as their “refresher” training, and their training dates should be updated in the FDS System accordingly.
Train-the-Trainer Resources
-
Plain Language Guide to the State's Ethics Laws
A comprehensive overview of the Public Officers Law and other related ethics laws, presented in a plain language format. This publication is also used as the participant guide for FDS filers required to attend mandatory ethics trainings. An excellent resource for those entering State service for the first time. Revised 8/26/2019
Download
-
Comprehensive Ethics Training Course PowerPoint
Disclaimer:
In utilizing these training materials, you agree to not hide or delete slides, or alter or modify content on the slides. You may, however, add new slides with agency-specific information without seeking further approval from JCOPE.
Revised 10/4/2019
Download
-
CETC Trainer Notes
Ethics Officers or their training designees may use these training notes to train their required filers on the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course.
Revised 10/4/2019
Download
-
CETC Certificate of Completion for Ethics Officers
Ethics Officers are encouraged to fill out this certificate and distribute it to their FDS filers once they have successfully taken the Comprehensive Ethics Training Course. Ethics Officers or their designees are still required to enter training completion dates into the JCOPE FDS Online Filing System.
Download
-
Ethics Seminar PowerPoint
Disclaimer:
In utilizing these training materials, you agree to not hide or delete slides, or alter or modify content on the slides. You may, however, add new slides with agency-specific information without seeking further approval from JCOPE.
Revised 9/3/2019
Download
-
Ethics Seminar Trainer Notes
Ethics Officers or their designees are encouraged to utilize these trainer notes to help train their required filers on the JCOPE Ethics Seminar.
Revised 9/3/2019
Download
-
CETC-UPO (Comprehensive Ethics Training Course for Unpaid or Per diem Officers) PowerPoint
Disclaimers:
This course is only for unpaid or per diem officers of boards, councils, commissions, and similar entities. ONLY unpaid or per diem members are eligible to attend this course. It is NOT INTENDED for FDS Filers who are also paid employees of the State.
Participants should receive the "Plain Language Guide to the Public Officers Law and Other Related Ethics Laws" before the class is delivered (hard copy or PDF), and a CETC Certificate of Completion once they have successfully completed this training.
In utilizing these training materials, you agree to not hide or delete slides, or alter or modify content on the slides. You may, however, add new slides with agency-specific information without seeking further approval from JCOPE.
New for 2019. Revised October 2019
Download
-
CETC-UPO Trainer Notes
Ethics Officers or their designees are encouraged to use these trainer notes to help train unpaid or per diem officers on the CETC-UPO.
Download
Train-the-Trainer: JCOPE Ethics Seminar
Ethics Forums
Ethics Forums: Personal Business With the State
Ethics Forums: Navigating the New JCOPE Website
Ethics Forum: Politics in the workplace
Ethics Forum: Conflicts of Interest
Ethics Forum: Gift Exclusions
Ethics Forum: Post-employment Restrictions
Ethics Forum: Outside Activities
Contact JCOPE Education Team
Contact the JCOPE Education team for information regarding the mandatory ethics training requirements for State employees, and individuals registered as lobbyists.