What the new Md. ethics law changes — and doesn’t

WASHINGTON — Maryland’s new ethics law includes an extended “cooling-off period” for lawmakers-turned-lobbyists. Instead of sitting out a single legislative session, a lawmaker who leaves office to lobby for a client must wait a full year before taking on that new role.

House Majority Whip Bill Frick, a Democrat, said the new law, which updates conflict of interest rules, is the product of bipartisan cooperation. Gov. Larry Hogan, a Republican, who signed the bill on Tuesday, made updating ethics laws a centerpiece of his legislative agenda.

And it comes at a time when allegations of corruption in Annapolis have been getting added focus: Since the start of Maryland’s 90-day legislative session, three current or former lawmakers face federal charges. “Any instance of public corruption is too many,” Frick said.

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