Conflict of Interest
Public officials are to perform their duties in an impartial manner, free from bias caused by their own financial interests or the financial interests of persons who have supported them. However, the law in this area is complex and the circumstances of potential conflict of interest (COI) situations can vary.
The
Political Reform Act of 1974 prohibits an employee from making, participating in the making, or using their official position to influence a governmental decision where it is reasonably foreseeable that the decision may have a financial effect on the employee’s economic interests. To enforce this prohibition, many state and local public officials and employees are required to disclose certain personal financial holdings. The purpose of financial disclosure is to alert public officials to personal interests that might be affected while they are performing their official duties. Disclosure also helps inform the public about potential conflicts of interest.
- Form 700 - Statement of Economic Interests
- Form 801 - Payment to Agency Report
Conflict of Interest Contacts
If you have questions regarding Ethics training, COI laws and restrictions, Form 700 or Form 801, please contact the COI Mailbox at ConflictofInterestInquiry@dhcs.ca.gov.
Please submit your completed Form 700 using NetFile's Filing Portal with your DHCS email address as your username.
Additional Information may also be obtained by contacting the Fair Political Practices Commission (FPPC) toll-free at 1-866-ASK-FPPC
(1-866-275-3772) or by visiting the FPPC website.
Related Topics and Material
Ethics Training
DHCS Form 700 filers, contractors, and consultants must repeat Ethics training every two (2) calendar years.
The training consists of two components: 1)
The Office of the Attorney General - Ethics Course and 2) reading the DHCS Policy on Employee Conduct found in the Department’s Health Administrative Manual.
DHCS Employees
DHCS staff will automatically be assigned this training requirement via
Cornerstone when they are due to complete it and will be notified via email when the assignment is made. To complete the training, click on Ethics Orientation on your training transcript page in Cornerstone and read the directions carefully. You will be directed to complete
the Office of the Attorney General - Ethics Course. After completion, you must return to Cornerstone to upload your Ethics certificate of completion. After uploading your certificate, you will be required to acknowledge that you have read and understood the
DHCS Policy on Employee Conduct before finally certifying completion. Once you have certified completion you are finished with the Ethics training requirement for two calendar years.
DHCS Contractors/Consultants (No Cornerstone account)
If you are a DHCS contractor or consultant and are required to complete this training, you will need to complete both sections of the Ethics training, 1)
The Office of the Attorney General - Ethics Course and acknowledge that you have read and understood the
DHCS Policy on Employee Conduct. Once you have completed both training parts, you must provide a completed
DHCS Ethics Training Certificate (DHCS 2415) to your supervisor, and keep a copy for yourself. Your supervisor must retain the form for a period of five years. Once your supervisor has a copy of the DHCS 2415, you are finished with the Ethics training requirement for two calendar years.
Form 700
Payment to Agency Report
- Payment to Agency Report (Form 801)
- Payment for Travel (DHCS 4022) (DHCS employees only)
Please Note: To obtain copies of Form 801 and/or DHCS 4022, please visit the DHCS intranet Forms & Publications page and then by selecting Conflict of Interest.
