Shapiro Signs New Gold Standard for Ethics, Relaxes Wolf Gift Restrictions 

Gov. Josh Shapiro has signed a new three part gold standard for Ethics for state employees. The gift ban portion will continue to prevent improper influence from lobbyists and special interests and applies to all executive branch employees under the governor’s jurisdiction. The new policy is grounded in commonsense and maintains rigid restrictions on trips, tickets and cash, but does allow reasonable exceptions, such as a bottle of water, certain meals when representing the commonwealth and plaques and other awards with di minimis value. Click here to view the gift ban. 

The ethics package also includes an integrity pledge that all cabinet members, Governor’s Office staff, and senior managers at commonwealth agencies will be required to sign, as well as mandatory ethics training for all cabinet members, Governor’s Office staff, and senior managers.