Code of Massachusetts Regulations
930 CMR - STATE ETHICS COMMISSION
Title 930 CMR 6.00 - Exemptions Unrelated To Gifts
Section 6.02 - Exemptions to Encourage Volunteer Public Service, and to Promote Education, Training, and Professional Development

(a) permitting public employees, and persons with existing direct or indirect financial interests in public contracts, to serve in uncompensated positions with public agencies, without violating M.G.L. c. 268A, § 7, 14, or 20;

(b) permitting persons with compensated non-public positions to receive their usual compensation during the time spent serving in uncompensated positions with public agencies, without violating M.G.L. c. 268A, § 4(a), 11(a), or 17(a);

(c) permitting persons with compensated public positions to receive their usual compensation during the time spent serving in uncompensated positions as part of the State Employees Responding as Volunteers (SERV) Program, or in any other public agency program to promote volunteer services by public employees with guidelines comparable to those of the SERV Program, without violating M.G.L. c. 268A, § 4(a), 11(a), or 17(a); and

(d) permitting persons who serve in uncompensated intern positions to accept compensation from other sources for time spent in such service.

(a) An uncompensated position is a position for which no pay, benefits, per diems, or retirement-related creditable service is provided. A position is not uncompensated because the person holding it waives compensation. A person holding an uncompensated position may receive reimbursement for actual expenses and the position will still be considered uncompensated.

(b) To have an indirect financial interest in a contract made by a public agency means to derive financial benefit from a contract between a public agency and another person or entity.

(c) Usual compensation does not include a severance package, stipend, or other funds received in anticipation of commencing employment.

(a) A public employee, or a person with an existing direct or indirect financial interest in a public contract, does not violate M.G.L. c. 268A, § 7, 14, or 20 by being elected or appointed to an uncompensated position with a public agency at the same level of government, including such a position with the same agency in which the public employee is serving, provided that the employee makes a disclosure as set forth in 930 CMR 6.01(6). Persons acting within this exemption remain subject to the other prohibitions of M.G.L. c. 268A, including, but not limited to, M.G.L. c. 268A, §§ 8A, 15A, and 21A concerning election and appointment by public boards; M.G.L. c. 268A, §§ 6, 13, and 19 concerning self-dealing; and M.G.L. c. 268A, § 23, the standards of conduct.

(b) A person who has a compensated position or contractual arrangement with a non-public employer may receive his or her usual compensation from the non-public employer during the time spent serving a public agency in an uncompensated position without violating M.G.L.c.268A,§ 4(a), 11(a), or17(a).

(c) A public employee may receive the employee's usual compensation during the time spent serving in an uncompensated position as part of the SERV Program, or in any other public agency program to promote volunteer services by public employees with guidelines comparable to those of the SERV Program, without violating M.G.L. c. 268A, § 4(a), 11(a), or 17(a).

(d) A person who serves in an unpaid intern or similar position in a public agency for educational, training, or professional development purposes may receive compensation, a fellowship, or loan forgiveness from an accredited educational institution or other educational or professional organization during the time spent serving the public agency without violating M.G.L. c. 268A, § 4(a), 11(a), or 17(a). An accredited educational institution or other educational or professional organization may provide such compensation, fellowship or loan forgiveness without violating M.G.L. c. 268A, § 4(b), 11(b), or 17(b).