AN ACT DEFINING "DEPENDENT CHILD" FOR PURPOSES OF THE STATE CODE OF ETHICS FOR PUBLIC OFFICIALS AND CONCERNING THE EXERCISE OF JURISDICTION OVER NONRESIDENTS BY THE OFFICE OF STATE ETHICS.

This bill updates the State Code of Ethics for public officials by defining a "dependent child" as a son, daughter, stepson, or stepdaughter who qualifies as a dependent under federal tax laws. It also clarifies the authority of the Office of State Ethics to investigate nonresidents, limiting such jurisdiction to cases where the nonresident or their agent makes an illegal payment to a public official or seeks prequalification as a lobbyist. These changes aim to standardize how family relationships are counted for ethical reporting and to specify when out-of-state individuals can be held accountable under state ethics rules.